Master Wolf

by Rose Estes

  The man’s nose, or what used to be his nose, was also rather unpleasant to look at, flattened and smeared as it was over his cheeks and mashed upper lip.

  Recknass flexed his massive fists and clenched his thick fingers spasmodically. Unfortunately, there was absolutely nothing wrong with his hands.

  Mika suddenly changed his mind about wanting to see the princess again and began to edge backward.

  “No, Recknass. It’s all right,” the Guildsman said, enunciating both clearly and slowly while facing the giant. “The wolfman is our friend now. He wants to help the princess. You are not to hurt him. Sit down.”

  Breathing harshly and making unpleasant wet sounds through his damaged lips, the giant hesitated for another minute, then sat down heavily as he was bid, though he never took his gaze, impaired as it was, off Mika.

  “I’m afraid you have to forgive Recknass if he seems to be taking this a bit personally. You see, if anything happens to the princess, he’s a dead man.”

  “What a pity,” said Mika as he started to sit on the edge of the bed next to the princess’s delectable thigh. A guttural growl of warning changed his mind.

  “Here, sit down on this chest,” said the Guilds-man, eyeing Recknass. “It’s safer.” And seating himself on an immense chest on the other side of the giant, next to the princess’s head, he spared her a long lingering glance before he began to talk.

  “I’d like to introduce you to Princess Julia,” he said in a soft tone as he ran his hand lightly over the princess’s hair. “I’d like to, but I can’t, for as you can see, she’s asleep. She’s been that way for the last four moons.” He sighed heavily, and Mika could see the pain in the man’s eyes as he gathered himself and continued.

  “The princess is the only child of the King and late Queen of Dramidja, an island principality in the Dramidj Ocean, many sea leagues distant from Yecha.

  “Dramidja is a rich and powerful island, the port of call for ships of all nations. Our boat builders, navigators, and sailors are famous over all the seas. Our island is also the only known source for a rare gem known as dramadine.

  “Dramadine is a crystalline formation that reflects both blue and green and has the unusual ability to heighten one’s powers and abilities. In the case of a normal human it would mean that he could see better, jump farther, walk longer, hit harder, run more swiftly. . . .”

  “I get the idea,” said Mika staring at the fly that now hung suspended above them on the cowhide ceiling. It was a most unusual fly, he was thinking, before he was distracted . . .

  “So you can see that, in the wrong hands, the crystal could be extremely dangerous,” the Guildsman continued earnestly.

  “The king and his forebears have always been most cautious in the use of the few gems that exist, keeping them hidden away from the temptation of man and forbidding their mining.

  “There was great hope for a male son to carry on the royal line, but in this, the king and queen were disappointed, blessed as they were with only the one daughter.

  “It was further hoped that the princess would marry well and continue the line and the protection of the gems with her husband. But that has not happened.” It seemed to Mika that there was tremendous loss and regret in the man’s voice.

  “Why not?” asked Mika, looking at the exquisite beauty lying beside him. “I should have imagined that she would have her pick of thousands. She’s very beautiful.”

  “True,” sighed the Guildsman. “But she’s also very headstrong. The princess has found no one she chooses to marry.”

  “What do you mean, ‘chooses?’ “ asked Mika. “In a matter this important, you simply tell the wench what she must do and see to it that it happens!”

  The Guildsman looked at him with wry amusement, and it seemed to Mika that the giant’s shoulders actually heaved with silent laughter.

  “One does not ‘tell’ Princess Julia anything,” said the Guildsman as though he were proud of his princess’s willfulness.

  “But that is not the point. One morning, the princess’s maid attempted to waken her and could not do so. She summoned the royal doctor and he examined her and proclaimed that he could find nothing wrong with her.

  “Eventually, he realized that it must be a spell and sent for the royal magic-user. He agreed with the doctor’s diagnosis, but was unable to remove the spell.

  “The king was frantic, of course, and gave the man a dramadine to heighten his powers so that he might try again. But the man was mysteriously killed and the crystal was found ground to powder beneath his foot.”

  “Sounds as though another magic-user wanted the crystal and put the spell on the princess, hoping that a dramadine would be used,” mused Mika.

  “Exactly,” said the Guildsman. “That was my conclusion, as well. Fortunately, our magic-user was able to destroy the gem before it was taken from him.” Interpreting Mika’s cocked eyebrow correctly, he bowed low and said, “Hary Mubarik, head of

  Dramidja security.”

  “You’re no Guildsman. I should have known,” said Mika.

  “I have served in that capacity before,” said Hary. “But I have served the king for many years longer and I would settle this business, for Julia is dear to his heart and I fear it may kill him.”

  And dear to your heart, as well, I wager, Mika thought to himself.

  “So, if that’s the story, why are we on the way to Eru-Tovar with the princess hidden away in a wagon like a sack of grain?” asked Mika.

  “After the magic-user was killed, the king let it be known that we were in need of someone to take his place,” continued Hary. “All manner of people showed up: wizards, warlocks, magic-users, magicians, healers, herbalists, shamans, and even an illusionist. Some of them were good, but most were frauds, and none were able to remove the spell which was the test that the king put to them.

  “One day a message came, a scroll to be exact. It took form out of thin air, appeared right before the king’s eyes on top of his breakfast plate. The scroll unrolled itself and a voice read aloud. It said that the man the king sought could be found in Eru-Tovar and commanded the king to send his daughter there and the spell would be lifted. Once the message was delivered, the scroll disappeared back into the air.”

  “And the price of this cure?” asked Mika.

  “All the dramadine crystals that are known to exist.”

  “Didn’t want much, did he?” noted Mika with a low whistle. “Where are they?”

  “Not here,” answered Hary. “The king is not such a fool that he would send his two greatest treasures, his daughter and the crystals.

  “Julia is going alone except for Recknass, the driver, Cob, who is one of my best men—and myself, of course.”

  “Then you’re a fool,” said Mika. “What’s to prevent this mage in Eru-Tovar from turning you both into pigs on the spot and then sending another message saying, ‘I have your daughter now. Send the jewels, or else.’ And then keeping them both?”

  “That is a very real possibility,” admitted Hary. “But Recknass and I have learned more than a few tricks in our years. We will see to it that such a thing does not happen,” Hary said with a small smile. And something in his tone of voice told Mika that perhaps they would succeed.

  The fly buzzed angrily in front of Hary’s face as though disliking his words. Hary grabbed at the fly, but the insect evaded him easily and lighted on a strut, high out of reach, to feast on a dried spatter of Recknass’s blood. Then they made the mistake of paying it no further mind.

  “How does Jumbo here, fit into the story?” asked Mika intently.

  “Recknass was Julia’s personal guard,” said Hary. “He was there the night the mage was killed. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to tell us what happened, as his memory and speech were erased by whomever fought the battle. The king has threatened to remove Recknass’s heart as well, if he fails. So you see, he has great motivation to succeed.”

  “How do you propose to find this magic-use
r?” asked Mika. “You can’t just stand in the center of Eru-Tovar and say, ‘Yoo-hoo, we’re here.’ “

  “I suspect that he already knows we’re coming,” said Hary. “I think that’s what the attack at the river was all about as well as your encounter with the old man.

  “You missed the real crux of the battle. Before you and your clan arrived, the kobolds attacked in full strength. The main thrust was aimed directly at this wagon. Only by clustering all of our forces around it were we able to beat them off. Then you arrived and the battle turned.

  “It was my thought that whoever hopes to seize the jewels, thought to obtain them then. We were certainly more accessible once we were off the island.

  “As to whether or not they would have taken Julia, I don’t know. I can only guess. And worry.” And once more, the man gazed at the princess with love in his eyes. He reached out a hand to stroke her hair, but a warning growl from the giant stopped him.

  “You say you have seen this old man twice,” said Hary. “Please tell me about it. Everything you can remember. Please, for her sake.”

  Studying the man, Mika found that he almost liked him. Gone was the irritating manner that had so annoyed him throughout the trip. Deciding, he told him all he knew.

  “. . . so I don’t think he’s too powerful,” concluded Mika, after the story was told. “Even though he froze me and Tam solid as logs. He’s maybe fourth level, fifth at most. My father was far more advanced than that.

  “All you need to do is find yourself a higher level mage when you reach Eru-Tovar. It’ll cost you a few grushnicks, but I assume the king can afford them.

  “This fellow is probably just some little nobody, who’s tired of being ignored,” Mika elaborated, enjoying the look on Hary’s face as he leaned forward, listening intently.

  “He heard about the jewels and decided he’d try for them. Make something of himself—a name to be remembered before he died. He looked pretty old to me. I’ll bet that Princess Julia and her magic jewels are his last chance.”

  “What you say makes sense,” agreed Hary. “But there is one aspect of this whole business that you have not considered.”

  “What’s that?” asked Mika with a frown.

  “Any spell, as you know, must be renewed from time to time, if it is to remain active. That is why the man is hovering about, dogging our trail. He must do so if he is to keep the sleep spell in force.

  “He doesn’t care if we reach Eru-Tovar or not. He wants us out here on the prairie by ourselves. All he wants is to get inside the wagon and steal the gems that he thinks are hidden here. Since we’ve prevented him from doing that, all he’s been able to do is keep renewing the spell on Julia!”

  Mika brushed away the fly that chose that moment to buzz between them.

  “Possibly,” admitted Mika. “But may I remind you that this mage does not actually have to be close to Julia to extend the spell. It can be done from a distance.”

  “Not all that distant!” gloated Hary. “He must be within a certain radius and he must be in human form, for if he is in another guise, say that of an animal, he would not be able to apply the spell.

  “Now, here is what I propose. We will travel back to the Bubbling Springs as fast as we are able and use that as our base, since it provides water, shelter, and firewood.

  “We can ride the perimeter and make certain that the fellow does not get through! Then, once the spell is broken, we can return to Dramidja.

  “Oh, it will take some extra precautions, but I am certain that it can be done. You see, these drivers are not really drivers, but men from my command.”

  The fly buzzed loudly, the rapid fluttering of its wings vibrating against the cowhide covering and resonating throughout the small interior of the wagon.

  “I’m not sure we can keep the fellow away from her,” Mika said slowly. “But it’s a plan. A place to start and better than anything I can think of at the moment.” And all the while he was thinking of ways to rid himself of Hary, Recknass, and the drivers, not to mention the mysterious old man, before Julia was taken back to her island kingdom. He was quite certain that once she wakened he would find favor in her eyes.

  “Then we have your promise of cooperation?” asked Hary. “You understand what is at stake here? Julia is beyond your paltry triflings. She is no common plaything. Come, man, say that you will help us.”

  “You have my promise,” said Mika. But he did not say what it was that he promised.

  Chapter 11

  THEY CAME AT DAWN, out of the east with the rising sun. Mika had been asleep, camped underneath the princess’s wagon, much to the disgust of the driver, the man named Cob, when Tam began to growl and paw at his arm. Mika was so totally tuned to Tam, that he knew, even in the depths of sleep that this was no casual warning. Something was very wrong.

  He opened his eyes, instantly alert, and reached for his sword, only half cognizant of the fact that his wing had finally turned back into an arm.

  Tam was standing above him, head up, ears twitching forward, ruff fully extended, staring into the rising sun. He whined shrilly with each exhalation.

  Mika rolled swiftly to his feet, snaking out from under the confining wagon. All around him, wolves, some twenty of them, were standing in postures identical to Tam’s. Some, more highly strung than others, were yipping nervously and wheeling in small circles as though anxious to run.

  All of the nomads, too, were on their feet, buckling on their weapons, straining to see what had so alarmed their animals.

  A soft wind was blowing from the north, its cool currents carrying the scent of green things growing on the prairie, the legacy of the storm. Birds were twittering their morning songs and the eastern horizon was stained a brilliant crimson, promising a beautiful day to come.

  At first, Mika could see nothing wrong, nothing that would so alarm the wolves. But it was difficult to see anything at all; the bright ball of sun brought tears to his eyes and caused him to see spots of yellow. Something was surely wrong, though. Tam was now growling deep in his chest, and his dewlaps were raised, exposing his canines.

  Mika looked away from the bright glare, and shielding his eyes with his hand, he looked again, this time, focusing low on the horizon. And then he saw them, the dark outlines tramping toward them, shoulder to shoulder. With a sinking heart he recognized them for what they were and realized that they were badly outnumbered.

  He turned and was surprised to find Hary at his side. The man moved so silently that Mika wondered briefly if he were part elf.

  “What is it?” asked Hary.

  “Gnolls,” Mika replied grimly. “Sort of a cross between a human and a hyena. Seven feet tall and strong. Green-grey skin covered with fur, but they wear armor and use weapons as well as any human.”

  A quavering howl split the calm morning and hung shivering on the sweet air.

  “Hyenas,” added Mika. “You’ll find them wherever you find gnolls and their larger cousins, spawn of Hades, hyenadons. And there’ll usually be a couple of trolls, trailing in the rear to pick up the scraps.”

  “Sweet God of the Sea,” whispered Hary. “How? Where? What shall we do? Can we fight them?”

  “No way,” said Mika, swiftly gathering his few possessions and throwing them onto the seat of the wagon.

  “There’re too many of them and we’re not talking about kobolds this time. Gnolls are twice as big as kobolds and ten times as tough. Not to mention trolls. You can’t kill them. Even if you cut them into cubes, they just regenerate, and even the pieces can kill you.

  “Then what should we do?” asked Hary, gripping Mika by the shoulder.

  Tam’s head swiveled toward them and instantly he was between the two men, his long white teeth inches away from Hary, a harsh growl thick with menace rumbling from his twitching black lips. Hary dropped his hand immediately—and Mika made a slashing gesture to force the wolf back.

  “Run. It’s our only hope,” said Mika, knowing that it would not be en
ough. “We cannot hope to stand and fight. They would have us in no time. Since they are afoot, we must try to lose them.”

  Hary lost no time in argument. Hurrying away, he roused his drivers with shouts and kicks, commanding them to harness their mules as quickly as possible. The men did as they were told and Mika had scarcely finished saddling the grey before Hornsbuck rode up and he was surrounded by wagons and nomads, ready to follow his lead.

  The mules had scented the rank aroma of the hyenas and hyenadons and their nostrils were flared and blowing, their eyes wide with terror. Unlike other mornings, it took no encouragement to get them started.

  “Which way? What is the plan?” shouted Hornsbuck from astride his huge, thick-necked bay stallion.

  “Ride for Eru-Tovar, it’s our only chance,” said Mika. “It cannot be more than six days distant.”

  “I say we should return to the Springs,” argued Hary. “We’ll never make it to Eru-Tovar. It’s too far.”

  “Don’t be a fool, man. There’s no point in going back to the Springs,” said Mika. “They’d just wait until we starved or the Springs dried up.”

  “But . . .” began Hary.

  “No time for buts,” growled Hornsbuck. “Mika’s right. No sense in getting ourselves trapped.”

  “I’ve no use for running,” snapped Hary.

  “I’ve no use for dying,” Mika replied coldly. “You and your wagons can do anything you want, I’m riding for the city as fast as this horse can take me. If you’re smart, you’ll come, too. If not, that’s your decision.”

  “I thought you agreed to join us,” hissed Hary. “To help.”

  “I made no agreement to die needlessly to salve your silly pride,” said Mika as he turned the grey. “I’ve given you my counsel. If you choose to follow me, I will see to it that the nomads form a line of defense between the wagons and the gnolls. If you choose to ignore me, then say your prayers.”