Mage Resolution (Book 2)

by Virginia G. McMorrow

  “Am I a good scout?”

  “Yes. Of course.”

  He flashed me a broad disarming smile. “Then I will be all right. I can keep myself busy until you return.”

  Anders sat beside him, sharing the log. “It may be a week before we return, more or less.” When the boy nodded, he said, “If we’re not back by the end of ten days, Gwynn, then you need to go home.”

  “It is my duty to wait for the Mage Champion,” he answered with pride, before looking at his feet, embarrassed.

  “Gwynn.” I crouched before him, forcing the boy to meet my eyes. “If we’re not back by then, something’s gone wrong. I want your word you’ll return home.”

  “I cannot give it to you. Alex, please. I gave my word to my father that I would bring you back safely.”

  Anders touched the boy’s arm. “If something goes wrong in Barrow’s Pass, there’s nothing you’ll be able to do.”

  “I will wait until you return.”

  Stubborn young fool. “If we’re not back in ten days’ time, go home.” I stopped his protest with an outstretched hand. “And see that word reaches Duke Barlow at Port Alain.”

  Gwynn shut his eyes, thinking. Finally, “All right. And then I will come back with the duke and his troops to look for you.”

  “Are all Glynnswoodsmen so stubborn?” I asked in frustration.

  “That’s where you get it,” Anders said, dodging my fist. “I always thought it was from your mother.”

  “Alex. Before you go—” Gwynn stretched out his hand, shyly offering me the wood he’d been whittling.

  In silence, I took the piece of wood, turning it over in my hands, stunned to find a perfect replica of the mage pendant dangling from a leather thong at my neck. I gave it to Anders, got quickly to my feet, and walked away, not trusting myself to speak to this very peculiar boy who represented Glynnswood and every bit of heartache that accompanied the name.

  “Anders?” Gwynn’s voice was soft behind me. “Does she hate it?”

  “She loves it.” The old beast chuckled. “Trust me. She loves it. When we get back, she’ll tell you herself.”

  Chapter Nine

  “There really is something peculiar about that boy.” Anders looked thoughtful some hours later when we were taking a short break from our journey.

  “There’s something peculiar about anyone from that forest.”

  “That includes you, I presume. I don’t understand it,” Anders said, enjoying my ill humor, as he settled our packs along the side of the road, “but I think he likes you.”

  “Gwynn just wants to make sure I don’t turn him into a wildhog.”

  “You can’t do that.”

  “He doesn’t know that.”

  “You must be casting some kind of Mage Champion glamour, even charming that innocent merchant into taking us as far up the mountainside as the outskirts of Barrow’s Pass,” Anders muttered, half to himself. “Impressive. But I don’t understand it. Unless you’re getting uncharacteristically soft.”

  In mere seconds, I thought of a hundred thousand ways for vengeance against the wretch. “Don’t forget to tell Rosanna how soft I’m getting.” I nudged him in the side, catching him off balance. “It’ll be a delight to watch her amazement.”

  “She won’t believe me.”

  Scanning the crossroads, I followed the tracks of the merchant’s wagon wheels as they veered off to the left. The road to Barrow’s Pass lay to the right. And I wasn’t sure which way we should be going.

  “We haven’t discussed how we’re going to spy on his lordship’s affairs.” Anders shaded his eyes against the afternoon sun.

  “We have two days to come up with a plan.”

  “So much time?” Anders picked up his worn leather pack and slung it across one shoulder. “Coming?”

  We tucked our mage pendants out of sight and made ourselves as unobtrusive as possible, sauntering through the large town as though we’d been there before. But there was no shore. How could these poor people live without the comforting escape to the sea? Then again, maybe that explained Erich’s peculiarities. Barrow’s Pass was perched on the eastern slope of the smallest peak of the Arditch Mountains, but high enough to make me uneasy. I was grateful there were no bridges to cross. Though the mountains and valley below, bordered by the thick, dense forests of Glynnswood, offered a view to take one’s breath away, still, there was no sea. In the distance, Ardenna gleamed with fraudulent promise.

  We took a room at a decent inn and discovered that Duke Harwoode arrived home the previous night. In a foul temper, he planned to stay for only one more night. If we’d missed him, I’d have dogged his trail to Ardenna and ambushed the duke just for vengeance.

  * * * *

  “I’m glad it’s not winter.” Shivering beneath my heavy cloak, I tried to keep my teeth from rattling as we kept watch in the shadows at the manor gate.

  “You said the same thing weeks ago.”

  “I mean it now even more so. I forgot how chilly it gets at this altitude.” I snuggled further into my cloak. “We’re too close to the stars.”

  “It is the middle of the night, and a clear moonlit sky. If you were of a mind, I could be romantic.”

  “Hush.” I put a finger to his lips. “Someone’s coming.”

  We crouched lower in the shadows and waited. A cloaked and hooded figure crept toward the gate, and headed, not for the main entrance, where Erich’s guards were posted, but around the back through the manor gardens. Anders grabbed my hand and tugged. I followed as he trailed the hooded figure, stopping so abruptly we collided. With caution, I pushed my head around his body as the duke’s midnight visitor knocked twice, waited, and then again three times at a barely visible wooden door. Creaking, the door swung inward. Not a soul was visible inside, only the figure standing outside in the clear moonlit night.

  Lords of the sea! I caught my breath as Anders gripped my hand in dire warning. With a swift glance left and right, the man, clearly a man now, threw his dark hood back, white hair catching the moonlight. A vicious scar stood out on his cheek before he crept inside. The blemish placed there by the log beneath his skin that I changed to flame one year ago in Tucker’s Meadow.

  “We have to follow him.” I started to move forward when Anders grabbed my cloak and then my shoulders, dragging me back and holding me tight. “It’s Charlton Ravess,” I explained, not sure if he had recognized the mage as I tried to break free of his iron grip.

  “Hush.” Strong arms calmed my shaking body. “I know. But we can’t go charging in. Now wait.”

  Reluctant, I followed his gaze along the manor’s wall. On the floor overlooking the gardens, a small light appeared in the window.

  “I hate climbing.” Anders grumbled an unintelligible oath. “All right. Listen. See that twisted oak that stretches close to the window?” I nodded. “As I climb up—”

  “It’s in clear moonlit view,” I protested.

  Anders ran a hand through his hair, biting his lip hard to keep from scolding me. “Just listen, all right? You have to time it carefully. When I reach the point where I’ll be visible, change the air to a wall of fine dirt. Thin, Alex, so that I can eavesdrop, but natural so it blends into the garden.”

  “Let me climb. I’m lighter.”

  “There’s no time to argue. You can’t do both.” Before I could protest further, he was gone, hidden in the deep shadows.

  When I caught sight of his head at the base of the tree, I called on my mage talent. The sharpness of the fire and ice vanished almost immediately as I blended the two to cool warmth. Taking a deep breath, I envisioned what Anders had described, watching his slow progress. When his head appeared on the point of emerging into clear view, I focused and changed the air to a thin dirt wall. With a brief approving nod, Anders settled himself more comfortably. I focused to keep the fragile wall from crumbling and betraying his presence. Watching his face as he strained to hear, I wavered at the sudden flash of hot anger in his eyes. He
shot me an anxious look until I steadied the dirt wall. Long minutes dragged by, draining my strength until I feared I’d lose consciousness. Abruptly, the light was shuttered. Anders crawled down a short length of the tree and stayed well hidden as I transformed the earth wall back to empty air.

  I scrambled to hide, exhausted.

  * * * *

  “I presume the news isn’t very good.”

  Anders remained silent as we made our way back to the inn. Once we were in our room, he started undressing, flinging clothes off item-by-item in angry spurts. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes. “I’m sorry, Alex, truly, for doubting you.” Clear, cool eyes locked with mine across the length of the lumpy bed.

  “I didn’t have any proof.”

  “No. But you have wonderful instinct. I’m sorry.”

  I sat on the bed and pulled him down beside me. “Tell me.”

  “It’s simple. Charlton Ravess wants revenge against you for humiliating him in Tucker’s Meadow. So does Erich.” When my eyebrow arched skyward, he said, “You foiled their plan to get Elena off the throne. Now that Ravess has been exiled and no longer controls the Ardenna Crown Council, it’s up to Erich to do his dirty work. Safely married to Elena, he’ll arrange an unfortunate accident involving Elena, and Brendan, too. By that time, you’ll be long gone.” Anders paused to take a deep breath. “They’re using mercenaries, too.”

  “If Elena and Brendan are gone, then the crown—” I stopped, puzzled, absently rubbing his back to soothe away the tension.

  “The Dunneal crown would be up for grabs by any eligible duke. There are no other blood relations in Elena’s family with any legal claim to the throne,” he explained. “Whoever’s left has either disgraced themselves or managed to die without heirs.”

  “Wouldn’t it make more sense for Erich to wait until Elena has a child? Then he could still rid himself of Elena and Brendan, but control his child.”

  Anders rubbed his eyes wearily. “They’re impatient.”

  “They’re foolish. Ravess plans to withstand another Mage Challenge to defend Erich’s right to remain on the throne. After all, I’ll be dead, and the Crownmage is only a legend. Little does he know,” I murmured.

  “One other thing,” Anders said an odd expression in his eyes. “When they moved from the window, I heard Edgecliff mentioned, as well as Glynnswood, but nothing more. Their voices were muffled. I’m sorry.”

  “So maybe there is a third party involved from Glynnswood?”

  “Maybe. But maybe they’re just making it look like that. Either way, you’re not an unhinged, narrow-minded idiot.”

  “Gee, thanks.”

  “We have to stop the wedding. I don’t want to see Elena heartbroken, but I’d much rather see her alive.”

  I sat up straight and crossed my legs beneath me. “Then we’ll leave as soon as Erich is gone, find Gwynn, tell him we’re not returning through Glynnswood, and then” —I smiled in wicked anticipation— “plan a midnight visit to Elena.”

  “We can’t just tell her Erich’s a traitor when he’ll probably be listening to every word.”

  I smiled as I started to undress. “Of course not. But at the risk of putting your life in danger, I think it’s time we gave Elena her betrothal present.”

  Eyes sparkling, he helped me tug my tunic over my head. “My life’s at risk just by staying with you. I might as well enjoy it.” Pulling me down beside him, he kissed my forehead and fell promptly asleep.

  I wasted no time doing the same.

  Chapter Ten

  “You are back early.”

  Startled by Gwynn’s unexpected presence, I edged back, stepping ungracefully on Anders’s foot. Ignoring his loud protest, I stared at Gwynn. “One of these days, you’ll have to show me how you manage to sneak up on people.”

  “You’re too clumsy.” Anders hobbled along, making a big scene about the pain in his foot as he put his worn leather pack on the ground.

  “And you’re too old. Now go and sit.”

  Gwynn tried without success to hide his smile as I shoved Anders in the direction of a tree stump. “I could show you on the journey back.”

  I stole a look at Anders who refused to ease my predicament after I’d stomped on his foot. “Gwynn, about the journey back—”

  The boy looked up, brushing the unruly lock of hair from eager eyes. “Shall we leave right away?”

  “Anders—”

  “He’s your distant kin.”

  At that smug response, I scowled, looked for something to fling at Anders’s head, and thought better of it. “We’re not going back,” I said, regretting my words as disappointment clouded Gwynn’s face. “I’m sorry.” And I was.

  Lords of the sea, he was only a boy and meant nothing to me. Or shouldn’t, but there was something in Gwynn that tugged at my heart.

  “May I ask why not?” His tone was polite, distant.

  I crouched in front of Gwynn and pulled out the wooden mage pendant he’d carved for me, hanging side-by-side with Elena’s gift, catching him unawares. Holding it in my hand, I said softly, “Because of who I am. I have to tell the queen what we’ve discovered.”

  Shrugging his disappointment aside, he nodded firmly. “It is a matter of honor. I understand.”

  Surprising myself, I ruffled his disheveled hair and tucked the pendant inside my tunic. “This token brought me luck. Now listen.” I rummaged in my pack for paper. “Tell me your father’s name. I’ll write him a note as I promised.”

  “He is a clan chief.” Gwynn’s voice was without expression.

  “Yes, I know.” Rummaging further, I found pen and ink. “But I can’t address it to the clan chief, Gwynn. It would be disrespectful. Now, what’s his name?”

  Gwynn stood quickly and edged away like a cornered animal. “The letter is not important. I will tell him myself.” He stepped back a pace, inching farther away from me, oblivious to Anders who had crept behind him, sensing imminent flight.

  I started to laugh as he stepped on Anders’s other foot, but Anders had the presence of mind to grab the boy.

  “I must go. Please.”

  Lords of the sea, it was very hard to ignore the loud warning in my head from instinct, which finally slipped the puzzle pieces together. “Gwynn.” I held my voice steady. “If you don’t tell me your father’s name, I’ll turn you into a tiny gray fieldmouse.”

  Gwynn blinked once. “Anders said you cannot do that.”

  “Traitor.” I scowled at Anders. Wedged between Anders and myself, Gwynn was trapped. I locked eyes with the boy. “I ask you to tell me as a matter of my own personal honor.”

  “Please.” Gwynn blinked again, but this time, fighting tears and looking all of six years old. “If I tell you—”

  “Will you be in trouble?” When he closed his eyes and nodded, I cursed loud and long, startling both Anders and the boy. “All right, then I’ll tell you.” When Gwynn’s eyes popped open, brown eyes wide with alarm, I turned to Anders, took a deep breath to stop my voice from shaking, and folded my arms across my chest. “I’d like you to meet my brother. Well, half-brother.”

  Anders’ seagray eyes widened.

  Gwynn’s shoulders sagged. “I have offended you.”

  “Offended me? Don’t be an idiot.”

  “You are not angry?”

  “Not at you. But now I have another grievance against Sernyn Keltie.” I cocked my head to the side. “Are there any more of you?”

  “Only me.” Gwynn’s face was so pale, I was afraid he was going to faint. “Alex, he will be furious.”

  “Then don’t tell him.” I ignored Anders’s mocking smile. “Until you hear from me. He’s kept you a secret for an awfully long time.”

  “Father said you would not want to know that you had a brother.” Gwynn’s shyness returned. “Is it true? Alex, will I hear from you?”

  “Damn that man,” I said impatiently, without being unkind. “I probably didn’t want to know that I had a brother, no
t if Sernyn Keltie fathered him. But here you are, and I don’t mind in the least knowing you’re my brother, only that he lied to me again.” I took a deep breath, wondering if Gwynn could make sense of my rambling speech. “As for hearing from me, didn’t you promise to teach me your stealthy, deceitful tricks?”

  Gwynn nodded with enthusiasm and relief.

  “So go home. And tell Elder flameblasted Keltie that you performed with honor. So much so, that I might need your services again.” I tugged at the misbehaving lock of hair. “Go.” When Gwynn didn’t move, I touched his cheek. “It’ll be all right, Gwynn. I promise.”

  With a solemn nod to me, and then Anders, Gwynn walked away, stopped at the edge of the dense forest, and then ran back, gripping me in a fierce hug before vanishing into the woods without a backward glance.

  “You handled that in a rather mature fashion.”

  I faced Anders until we were nose to nose. “Listen, old man. I don’t want to hear your snide comments all the way to Ardenna.”

  “That wasn’t snide.”

  “Oh, no?” I poked his chest with a determined finger. “Gwynn’s a child. What did you expect me to do? Hold him responsible for Sernyn Keltie’s lies?”

  Anders removed my prodding finger from his chest. “Considering your reaction to anything your father does, I don’t blame him for keeping Gwynn hidden.”

  “Hidden? He sent Gwynn to me as a guide.”

  “An excellent one. You said so yourself.”

  “Stop being smug.”

  “Your father underestimated you.”

  “No, he didn’t, Anders. Believe me, he knew precisely what he was doing. Sernyn Keltie knew deep in his heart that I’d instinctively recognize something about Gwynn.”

  “To make you angry?” Anders arched a cynical brow. “That doesn’t make sense.”

  “To soften me up. He knew I’d grow fond of Gwynn. He used that boy.”

  Anders stopped my tirade with a lingering kiss. “You’re giving your father far too much credit.”

  “He’s devious, Anders. That’s why he asked Rosanna to raise me. She’s even more devious.” I backed away as he tried to put his arms round me.