The show ended, but the only real applause came from the two little girls, the youngest now seated in her mother's lap.
"You brought some happiness to this castle for a few hours, and for this we thank you," the proud young man said as if he were the lord of the castle.
"May I inquire as to your problems, my lord?" Benjamin asked.
"Alas, one week ago our beloved Lord Adalbert passed away after a hunting accident. And yesterday his son vanished, kidnapped."
"I see. So you're not the actual lord of this castle?"
"I am overseer on behalf of my lady. We both miss Lord Adalbert very much."
"I'm sorry to insist, my lord, but how do you know the heir has been kidnapped?"
The lady seemed to come back to life. "Conall is seven, he couldn't leave on his own. And one of my ladies-in-waiting disappeared too."
"We don't know where young Conall, or Florence, are now," the overseer added.
"I understand. But I don't want to leave you all saddened again. Please, let me show you a few more tricks!"
And then he went back to the forest, and the clearing where he'd left Adalbert, relating his visit to Hawk Castle.
"Bastard!" Adalbert exclaimed. "Even my son he got rid of! Florence is his lover, I'm sure she'll be back in a few days – alone!"
"So you think Conall has been killed?" Benjamin asked, curious.
"That's for sure!" Adalbert punched a tree, hurting his hand. But the pain was enough to calm him. "And you say he's hired that sorcerer, Beltrand?" he muttered.
Benjamin sighed. "Unfortunately. You should have kept him, all he wanted was to be fed and taken care of."
"In return for what?" Adalbert protested. "Did I really need his protection?"
"I guess not, but he was drawn to your castle for a reason, I'm afraid."
"What reason?"
"Waltrand's ambition. They sort of need each other."
Adalbert shook his head, upset and still incredulous.
"I can't go back to that snakes' nest," he muttered. "I must find help. I'll see my brother-in-law and whoever else will give me men to crush the traitor."
"I'm coming with you. I want to see where this story goes."
"Fine. Can you take me to the road to Tower Castle?"
"Sure. This way."
Benjamin and Adalbert soon reached a narrow, unpaved road through the forest. Soon Adalbert got tired of walking.
"I should have asked you to bring me a horse from the castle..."
"I'm sorry, my lord, but stealing a horse was out of the question," Benjamin teased.
"You could have requested one in payment."
"One of your horses is worth much more than the few coins I earned."
Adalbert huffed and panted, sparing his breath for the walk.
"We'll buy one at the crossroad," Benjamin said. "It's going to be cheaper, lower quality, but better than nothing."
"I don't have money," Adalbert grumbled.
"I do, my lord. Enough for a horse and two meals when we reach the inn, where I hope to earn enough for another horse."
"I don't know what I'd do without you!" Adalbert sounded relieved. Benjamin shrugged as they kept walking.
4.
Florence hadn't really abducted Conall. She'd gone to his room first thing in the morning, dressed as a peasant man and bringing peasant clothes for him. She'd told him it was just a new game, and he'd gladly followed her out of the castle. Now, disguised as brothers, they hung around an open air market in the closest small town.
The noble child turned out to be a very swift pickpocket and he joined her by the central fountain, where she gave him a small loaf of bread with cheese while he handed her the stolen purses.
"Here you are, Brother." The child seemed to enjoy his new unsheltered life immensely.
"Thank you, Little Brother." She grinned. "You're even better than me!"
Conall giggled. "I love this game. How are we doing?"
"Fairly well, Little Brother." She winked. "We're still alive!" Most importantly, he was still alive, and would be able to claim back his father's castle when he came of age.
"How much further do we have to go?" Conall asked, munching on his bread.
"I think that if we can get to Hurlevent, we're safe."
"I'm sure they're looking for us at Tower Castle."
"Your grandfather's castle isn't safe, it's definitely the first place Waltrand would search – or your uncle might send a message to his sister and Waltrand might intercept it."
"But if something happens to you, I'll go there to look for help," Conall said, determined.
"Sounds fair. Except nothing is going to happen to me, Little Brother."
"Of course not, Brother!"
They smiled fondly at each other. They liked their new names very much. Life was an adventure, especially with a child like Conall who understood the game and was eager to play.
It wasn't easy for her, used to the comfort of castle life. The first night under the stars she hadn't slept at all, and she still didn't like the dirty village inns. But she was determined to keep Conall safe so he could live, grow up and punish the traitor.
Besides, she liked the boy who was wiser than his age. She was busy keeping them both alive in a hostile, male-dominated world that had no mercy for women or ousted little noblemen. She should take Conall to Xendaria, but the capital intimidated her even more than the villages and small towns of the Woodlands.
Sometimes Florence missed her room, her bed and Waltrand's arms – but that last thought was usually what helped her to keep her determination going. Waltrand would not have Conall's life. Conall would help her to strip Waltrand of what he unrightfully earned – including Romelia.
***
"Maybe someone will show up, headed for Tower Castle, and give us a ride," Adalbert said, hopeful, looking at the tall trees bordering the road.
"Keep hoping, you never know," Benjamin replied.
Suddenly an arrow flashed in front of them and hit a tree. They stopped and looked around for the hidden archer.
"Your purse or your life," a youthful male voice shouted from the green.
"The purse is empty and we have no weapons," Benjamin replied. "You're wasting time, my friend."
A young man with long black hair and a clean-shaven, boyish face jumped down from a tree and walked to them, dropping his bow and arrow and unsheathing a nasty-looking dagger.
"Who dared rob you before me? I see a lord in rags, were you assaulted in my kingdom?"
"These are the king's lands. And you don't look like the king," Adalbert retorted.
"The king is too far away to bother," the other shrugged. "Hawk Castle, huh?" His beardless chin pointed at Adalbert's coat-of-arms. "What happened to you, my lord?"
"It's a long story." Adalbert glared at him. "Please, let me go."
The young man grinned. "Pay your toll, and you can go."
"I don't have anything, as you can see."
The bandit grabbed the golden chain that held Adalbert's medallion and ripped it off Adalbert's neck.
"You have this. It will do."
"Please no!" Adalbert was ready to panic. "I already lost my signet ring and my sword..." He felt naked already.
The bandit pointed his dagger at Adalbert's throat – a peasant's weapon, but still quite effective. Adalbert stiffened.
Benjamin rummaged in his bag. "Why don't you take this, instead?"
The outlaw turned to him, and Benjamin threw a golden powder at his face, making him curse and lose his grip on the medallion. Benjamin was fast to retrieve it.
"Sorry, Malcom, maybe next time," Benjamin said with a chuckle, giving back the jewel to its owner.
"You son of a bitch! You always get me!" the rogue protested.
Adalbert gaped at both. Benjamin winked at him.
"I tricked him with an illusion. Malcom and I know each other well," he explained.
"Yeah, you got yourself the best bodyguard available, my
lord," Malcom grumbled. "On your way!"
He left, pouting, followed by Benjamin's laughter, retrieving his bow and arrows before vanishing in the trees.
Adalbert stared at Benjamin, speechless.
"He's just a highway bandit," the apprentice said with a smile and a shrug. "One of the best, actually. But we're friends now, and he knows better than to rob me!
"You're my pass, apparently." Adalbert shook his head, still incredulous. "I wonder how much I will owe you when it's all over!"
"I wouldn't worry too much if I were you." Benjamin grinned. "You've already lost everything, what else could you lose?"
"Let's go." Adalbert wasn't convinced, but he didn't know what to say to that.
"Wait." Benjamin stopped him, listening to the forest noises. "Horses."
"Where?" Adalbert looked around, worried. He couldn't hear any gallop, but then heard the sound of hooves – walking.
"From the woods," Benjamin said, pointing the way Malcom had vanished. The young bandit was coming back with two saddled horses.
"You don't deserve them, but I'm sure your wicked wizard will bring them back when you're done," he said grumpily, giving Benjamin the reins.
"You can count on it," Benjamin answered. "See you soon."
As Malcom vanished into the woods again, Benjamin gave one of the reins to Adalbert, who climbed on the saddle with a sigh of relief.
"We'll get to Tower Castle faster," Benjamin said, jumping on the saddle like a very skilled rider. Adalbert wasn't expecting an apprentice to have such skills, but then, maybe Benjamin was more than what he looked like. Adalbert was still too shaken to fully understand his travel companion – so far the only one who hadn't tried to kill him or stab him in the back – and felt he had no choice until he reached a friendly household.
The both spurred the horses. Adalbert hoped to reach his brother-in-law's castle soon and feel safe again.
***
Waltrand sat by the window, lost in thought. He had the castle, almost had the lady, but he wasn't completely satisfied. Conall and Florence had vanished, and he wasn't sure what to make of it. He thought Florence would come back and tell him she'd killed the rightful heir to win him back, but she hadn't yet.
Tristan stormed in, interrupting his musings. "Waltrand, we must talk!"
"About what?" he asked, absentmindedly.
"You promised me Florence!"
Waltrand scoffed. "I didn't expect her to run away."
"You have a wizard, find her!" his brother retorted. "Or I'll tell Romelia the truth!"
Waltrand stared threateningly at Tristan, who looked back defiantly.
"I'm not afraid of you, Brother," Tristan insisted. "I'll ruin your plans if you don't give me what I want."
"Romelia will be mine anyway, with Beltrand's help. Don't put yourself against me, Tristan."
"But you promised!"
"I'll ask Beltrand to find Florence, mostly because she took Conall with her. And you know Conall must die. You will have Florence back as soon as possible."
"I sure hope so!" Tristan left, slamming the door behind him.
Waltrand looked outside one last time, pursing his lips. Time to do a real search for Florence and Conall.
Beltrand was lying on the bed, fully dressed, when Waltrand entered his room.
"My lord, what a pleasure," the plump wizard said, jumping to his feet with the speed of a fat body. "I was..."
"Find Florence and Conall," Waltrand snapped. He didn't care what the sorcerer did with his free time. "The child must die, but I want her alive, am I clear?"
Beltrand smiled and bowed.
"I'm paying a visit to Lady Romelia," Waltrand continued. "Give me good news when I come back."
"As you wish, my lord."
Good thing Beltrand's ambition was not as high as Waltrand's. His accomplice was happy to be under him – probably didn't have the guts to run a castle himself – which suited him perfectly. Hiding his disappointment and worries, Waltrand headed for Romelia's rooms.
5.
Romelia's brother, Victor, didn't look happy to see Adalbert, nor to hear his story.
"I'm sorry to hear about the betrayal of your most trusted knight, it is certainly a most unfortunate episode," Victor said, his eyes avoiding Adalbert's and his fingers drumming on the armchair of his seat. The bored expression hadn't left him since he'd seen his brother-in-law enter his great hall.
"Waltrand and I grew up together!" Adalbert added, his voice more whiny than he intended. "I thought we were friends! Can you believe how he bit the hand that was feeding him?" It still hurt that Waltrand had plotted to take his place and was now wooing his wife. If only Waltrand wasn't the captain of the guard and the men didn't respect him more than they did their lord...
"You can't really trust anybody these days," Victor replied. "Unfortunately I can't give you any men, the barbarians are on the move and I'm very busy keeping an eye on the mountain passes."
"You think the Sannish might try to invade us?"
"Hopefully not, but all my men are out and on the lookout. I can't spare anyone this summer. And you know as much as I do, my dear brother-in-law, that nobody is fool enough to start a war in winter."
"Maybe there's no need for a war or a siege. Maybe he'll surrender at the sight of an army..."
"I doubt it. From what you told me, the man is smart and bold. He won't give up just because he finds an army outside his walls. Go to the king. He's the one who should take care of these matters."
"But Xendaria is too far! And my wife, your sister, thinks I'm dead and is already falling for the traitor!"
"Shame on her."
Adalbert glared at Victor.
"You never approved of me, did you?" he asked, starting to see no help would come from Victor of Tower Castle.
"Just because my father and my sister chose you, I don't think I have to like you, do I?" Victor retorted, his voice a mix of contempt and impatience.
"Fine." Adalbert straightened and rose from the stool he'd been given. "I'll leave for the capital tomorrow morning. Allow me to rest in the room you've given me, because I'm very tired."
Victor gestured him to go with a snort and a servant led Adalbert and Benjamin out of the great hall.
Adalbert settled in the guest bedroom with a sigh.
"Will you really go to Xendaria?" Benjamin asked, serious.
"No, I'll try Bear Castle," Adalbert answered, thoughtful. "Or I'll find mercenaries at Hurlevent."
"Why not in the forest?" Benjamin suggested. "Malcom has many men with him."
"He's a highway bandit!"
"Because he had no other choice."
Adalbert sighed.
"If I can't find anybody else, I'll use him," he conceded.
"And are you sure you want to spend the night at Tower Castle?" Benjamin inquired.
"Benjamin, I'm tired and it's my brother-in-law's castle, for goodness's sake!"
"Of course." Benjamin nodded but averted his eyes.
Servants brought in a bath tub and Benjamin left with them.
Adalbert sighed and undressed. He washed himself and shaved, relaxing at last after a few very tough days. He dined alone, wondering what to do, and went to bed alone, since Benjamin didn't come back.
He felt lonely. He'd gotten used to the young man's presence and suddenly felt very vulnerable again, especially since his brother-in-law had proved hostile. Where was Benjamin? Would he betray Adalbert too?
In spite of his worries, he drifted off to sleep, but he woke up all of a sudden with a sense of impending doom and saw a shadow looming over him.
"What the..."
A magic white light switched on, showing a servant frozen with his arm raised, a dagger in his fist. Adalbert stared in disbelief at the man ready to kill him now as still as a statue.
"If you are well rested, we better leave now." Benjamin's face entered the magic light. "He's Waltrand's cousin, and I doubt his lord would have punished him for the murder
."
Adalbert dressed, still astonished, keeping an eye on the immobilized servant.
"What have you done to him?" he asked.
"Paralyzing spell," Benjamin answered. "In one hour he'll move again, so we don't have much time."
Adalbert grabbed his over-tunic and followed Benjamin out of the room.
They went to the stables to retrieve their horses, and the sentinels didn't stop them when they left the castle in the middle of the night.
"Let's try Bear Castle," Adalbert said with a sigh. "Philip used to be my friend..."
Benjamin scoffed but didn't comment.
***
Beltrand sat at his table, mumbling over the basin with Waltrand looming over him.
"Well?" Waltrand snapped.
Beltrand stirred the black liquid and waited until it settled. As it did, a strange window opened on somewhere else – a village, crowded with people. Waltrand stared at the strange moving mirror.
"What's that?" he demanded.
"A village, I daresay." Beltrand shrugged.
"I can see that, but where?"
"Riverside, I think."
"Where are Florence and Conall?"
The crowd was watching the show of two ragged nomads, a child and a young man.
"I don't understand..." Beltrand muttered, then brightened. "Of course!"
The image focused on the two nomads, clearly showing Conall's dirty face.
"Conall!" Waltrand exclaimed. "But where's Florence?"
"With him." Beltrand chuckled as the image focused on the young man – Florence in men's clothing.
Waltrand was impressed by his lover's ruse. "Can you believe that girl? I should have kept her!"
"She doesn't own a castle, though, does she?" Beltrand commented with a smirk.
Waltrand regained his composure.
"Right. Riverside you said? I'll send my men. The child must die!"
"What about the girl?"
"She's for Tristan. For now."
***
Adalbert and Benjamin approached the barbican of Bear Castle on horseback, but at a slow pace. Philip greeted Adalbert with open arms and a smile on his face as soon as they stepped inside the great hall.
"Adalbert! So good to see you! What brings you here?"
Tales of the Northern Kingdoms volume 2 Page 21