The tinker gazed at the sword happily, still not quite believing his good luck. Then a shudder went through him as he remembered how he had found the sword.
“A shame ’bout the body, Tip. Oh, terrible shame, that. But I had nothing to do with ’t—not a snip. Found him like that, you see. Come upon him in the road. Not long dead, I think.
“Ye saw him first, didn’t ye, Tip? Yes. When ye let out that growl, I knew something was amiss, didn’t I? Yes. Ye don’t growl without cause, and that were cause enough. Indeed. A man dead in the road. Terrible thing. Head cut near off, and this—this sword lying in the dust beside him.”
He took the sword in his hand and felt its quick strength. His face glowed with admiration. “Old Pym knows craftership when he see it. Yes, sir. Some’un’ll give good gold to get this back—as much as ivver I ask. Enough for a wagon and a sharping stone.”
A thought occurred to him. What if the one dead in the road was the owner? Who would give the gold then?
He frowned and turned the blade in the firelight, shaking his head. “That ’un nivver owned a blade like this,” he said at last. “No, sir. No one ivver did—but maybe a king.”
Another thought struck him, and his eyes grew round in fright. What if they think I stole it? What if they think it was Old Pym killed that man and took his sword?
“No! I nivver’d kill a man, nor take his blade. Old Pym’s a peace-able fellow. Every’un knows he is. ’Twas in the road. I found it there. How it got there, I cannot say.”
“But I must be careful now, oh yes. Very careful. There’s some as would steal this away from a poor old tinker. Then poor Old Pym would lose his fortune.” He stared woefully at his prize, and then his face brightened once more.
“We must hide it, Tip! That’s what we’uns’ll do—hide it! Wrap it up in rags and hide it somewhere so not a body can find it. We’uns’ll keep our eyes and ears open—look and listen, that’s right, and see what we can learn about this here sword. Yes, we’uns must hide it well, Tip. And so we will.”
Deep in the forest, night had become a black curtain that cut off all sight, save the occasional glimpse of the stars overhead through the inter-weaving branches. The moon had not yet risen, so the forest byways were difficult to follow. Prince Gerin, shuffling head down, exhausted by his long ordeal, longed to stretch out beneath a tree to rest, and let sleep steal from him the memory of this evil day.
“We will stop here to rest,” said Nimrood to the others. “We should have put them off the trail by now. We will not be found, but we must be careful not to be seen.”
The men were too tired to speak. They stood wearily on their feet and looked about them, wondering dully how the old man leading them found the strength to keep going. “Hate is what keeps him afoot,” whispered one guard to the other. “Look at him, old as he is, and still spry as ever. He’d walk all night.”
“He might, but I cannot,” answered the man next to him.
“You there!” snapped Nimrood. “Stop muttering and see to our prisoner. You will take turns guarding him. Remember, your heads are forfeit if he escapes.”
Prince Gerin heard only a part of what was said. The next thing he knew he was being half dragged, half shoved to a nearby tree, to be bound there with a cord for the night. He did not fight; he was too sleepy.
“There now,” said his guard. “Be good and give us no trouble, young sir. We do not wish to harm you, but you must not try to get away—that could be very painful indeed.”
Gerin only looked sleepily at the man, yawned, and lay back against the tree. In a moment he was sound asleep.
“Look at him,” said one guard, “not a care in the world.”
“He is the prince, by Ariel! No one would dare lift a hand against him,” answered his companion.
“Keep your voice down!” the other rasped. “Don’t let Longbeard hear you.”
“Ah, Longbeard. Now there’s a cold one. He is trouble—I said so from the start. Look what has happened: one dead, the prince kid-napped. This could bring down the temple.”
“Shh! He watches us! Remember, we are trying to save the temple.”
“This business is no good . . . no good at all . . . ,” the guard mum-bled. He yawned and then settled himself to sleep.
The other sat down on a rock, chin in hand, to wait his watch. He glanced around at the others, already sleeping. Their snores droned softly into the night air. He rubbed his neck and shook his head as he felt the weariness engulf him. Yes, he thought, Ervis is right. This is a bad business. It could well bring the temple tumbling down about our ears. But I am not to blame. I only do what I am told. The high priest himself ordered it. What choice did I have?
He pulled his cloak around him and folded his arms over his chest; his head nodded, and soon he was sleeping like all the rest.
Quentin’s eyes burned, and his back ached; he had been in the saddle all day and was not accustomed to it. He could feel his sore muscles stiffening as the chill of night seeped into his bones. Ignoring his body’s pleas to stop and rest, he pulled his short cloak more tightly around him and plodded on.
The trail had grown too dark to see hours ago, but still he traveled on, hoping by some miracle that he would stumble across the kidnappers. Knowing that his son was still out there somewhere in the dark, frightened, held prisoner—that thought alone kept him going.
Heartsick, numb with misery and despair, Quentin wanted only to throw himself to the ground to weep at his misfortune. A few short hours ago he had walked in the light, his realm secure, the future a bright promise. Now there was only darkness. In the space of half a day he had lost his son, his trusted friend, and—worst of all—the favor of the Most High. His mind reeled at the enormity of his trouble; his heart ached with sorrow; his body throbbed with grief and exhaustion.
How was it possible? How could it happen so quickly? Why was there no warning, no hint at what was to befall him? He could only shake his head in mute wonder.
For an instant he imagined that all he need do was turn Blazer back toward home and all would be well once more. Upon reaching Askelon he would find Durwin alive and the prince safe in his bed. His sword would be found in his chambers, lying across its hangers below the royal device—the flame intact, the god still with him.
But it was a dream, and the grim reality remained unchanged. Hoping against hope, Quentin determined that somehow he would make everything right again. He could do it; he was the Dragon King. He would make it right. With that, he urged Blazer forward. The horse, head down, ambled on.
14
They are here, my lady; they have come.” The maid approached quietly, lest she disturb her queen’s vigil.
“What? Quentin is back? He has returned?” She jumped up, a brief light leaping to her green eyes. Then she saw the look the maid gave her, and the light dimmed. “Oh.”
“No, the king has not returned.” She shook her head, then added, “But Lords Theido and Ronsard are here. They are waiting in the hall.”
Queen Bria left at once and went down to meet her old friends.
“My lady!” said Ronsard when he saw her approaching from across the great room. They were the only ones in it except for a few servants readying the tables for breakfast, which would be served within the hour. “How lovely you look!” said the knight, smiling warmly.
“Just as I remember your mother,” added Theido. “How is Alinea?”
“Theido, Ronsard, I am glad you are here at last. Forgive me for pulling you from your warm beds at this early hour. My mother is well. I am certain she will wish to receive you soon, but I would speak to you first.”
Theido saw the dark shadows behind her smile and knew that the queen had summoned them on a matter of great urgency. “Perhaps this is not the place to discuss important things,” he said. “A more private chamber would be better.”
“Yes,” Bria agreed, “follow me.” She led them out of the hall and along the wide corridor to a small room, a council room
that contained a heavy table with benches on either side, and a grouping of high-backed chairs in a farther corner. The three entered, closed the door quietly, and took their seats facing one another.
“Now then,” said Theido gently, “what has happened?”
Bria looked from one to the other of the two knights—men she had known all her life. Trusted friends of her parents, they had served the Dragon King’s throne numerous times and stood always ready to serve again. Their stalwart devotion and her own need overwhelmed her, and she broke down and cried.
“I hardly know where to begin,” she said, the tears streaming from her eyes.
The two glanced at each other helplessly, both feeling the depths of her sorrow.
“The words come hard, good sirs.” She sniffed and willed herself to stop the tears. The knights waited for her to continue. “Durwin is dead,” she said at last.
“By the gods, no!” said Ronsard. “Say it isn’t so!”
Theido held up his hand. Bria continued, “And my son has been taken.”
“When did this happen?” asked Theido. “And how was it accomplished?”
His stern tone helped Bria to calm herself. She began to speak more easily. “Yesterday, during the hunt. The prince was to ride in the hunt—he was so proud; it was his first. Toli rode with him. Quentin and Durwin went along, but were to return to join the festival after leading the hunt.” She sniffed again, but kept her voice steady. “The king was a long time returning; we thought he had taken up the hunt as well. Then Toli came and . . . he told us what had happened . . . Oh . . .” She paused, gathered her strength, and continued. “They were attacked and fought off their assailants. Toli followed, but lost the trail. When he rejoined Durwin and Gerin they . . . Durwin was dead and the prince gone. Quentin sent Toli for help. That was yesterday. I have not seen them since.”
Theido did not speak, but his dark eyes and the scowl on his face showed what he was thinking.
Ronsard smashed a clenched fist into the arm of his chair. “Who would dare such a thing? It is an outrage!”
“We must organize a search at once, though—I will be frank—too much time has passed already. If the kidnappers were on horseback, they could have ridden far.”
“Still,” put in Ronsard, “if ransom is their game, they may not have gone far at all. Indeed, they may be close at hand.”
Theido nodded sharply. “Yes, yes. There is something in what you say. But we must hurry in any case. My lady, in the absence of the king, will you give us the authority to command a body of knights?”
“Anything you require.”
“Good,” said Ronsard. “I know those well who served under me. We can start there.”
“Go,” Theido told him. “Roust them out, and see that they are outfitted for the trail. I will follow directly.”
Ronsard stood and gave a little bow to the queen. He smiled stiffly and said, “Take courage, my lady. We will find the boy.” He strode out of the room and was gone.
“Is there anything else you can tell us?” Theido asked Bria.
“I know so little. No . . . I have told you all I know. Toli could tell you more, but he is gone. Lord Bossit might know something.” She reached out and took Theido’s hand. “Find him, good friend. Save my child, as once you saved my father.”
Theido pressed her hand, and she felt his confidence flowing into her in that touch. “One way or another we will find him, I know it. I do not know how long it may take, but we will rescue him unharmed. You may believe it; you must believe it.”
“I do believe, and I pray that it is so,” she said.
“Yes, pray. Your mother has taught me the power of women’s prayers. The god, I think, does listen most intently to a woman’s heart.”
“Then he has heard mine through the night.” She bent her head. “Oh, Theido, if anything happens to him I do not th—”
“We will bring him back hale and whole,” he soothed. “You will see.” He stood slowly. “I must go now and find Lord Bossit. The sooner we make a start, the better.”
“Yes, go. And Theido . . . thank you for coming. You have no idea what it means to me.”
“Would that it were a happier time, my lady. But these days shall pass quickly, and all will be right again.” The lanky knight dipped his head to her and went out.
In the last hours of the night, when all the earth was still and waiting for the new day, Quentin had stopped along the road to rest and had fallen asleep beneath a larch tree, his cloak spread over him. Sleep offered no release or comfort; fitful, troubled was his rest, broken by dreams of futile chases and violent clashes with an unseen enemy. There descended upon him a helpless, hopeless feeling of dread and loss that pierced his heart as cruelly as any poisoned dagger, and though he slept he ached with the pain.
He awoke more wrung out than when he lay down, and rose wearily, stiff from his hard bed among the roots of the tree. In the raw, red light of dawn, Quentin rubbed his burning eyes and set about saddling Blazer once more.
“Quentin!” The king turned his eyes to the shout and peered into the dimness of the forest trail. The sun was not yet fully up, and the shadows still lay heavy along the road, but he perceived the forms of riders approaching some way off. He waited, then recognized Toli riding toward him out of the gloom.
“Sire, at last we have found you.” The Jher’s features bore the traces of a sleepless night, but his eyes were as sharp and quick as ever.
“Have you seen anything?” asked Quentin.
“No, my lord. Nothing, that is, except the body of an unfortunate lying in the road.” Toli’s eyes examined Quentin carefully.
“Yes,” said Quentin flatly. He turned away and put his foot in the stirrup, climbing back into the saddle. “I saw him too.”
Toli did not pursue the matter further, thinking it better to leave it for now. The others joined them, longing for an opportunity to dis-mount and stretch aching muscles. No one spoke directly to the king. His woeful countenance stilled their tongues.
Only Toli had the temerity to draw him aside to speak openly. “What would you have us do, Kenta?” He used the affectionate name of years past.
“Find my son!” Quentin snapped, his mood raw as the new morning.
Toli wisely ignored the remark. “We should return to the castle for more men; we could cover more ground that way. We need fresh horses and supplies.”
“Do what you will,” replied the king. His jaw was set. “I will continue the search alone.”
“Where will you go?”
“South.”
“Why south? They could easily have turned off the trail anywhere. In the night we would have missed the track.”
“What else am I to do?” shouted Quentin. The others looked at him. He lowered his voice. “I have no better choice.”
“Return with us to Askelon. We will send messengers out to all the towns and villages to watch for the brigands. We can—”
“My son has been taken, Toli!” Quentin gestured wildly to the great forest. “I will not return until he is found. I cannot return until he is safe.”
Toli searched the face of the one he knew so well, and yet, at this moment, seemed not to know at all. Something has changed my Kenta, he thought. This is not like him at all. Durwin’s death and the abduction of his son had tormented him, twisted him. Yes, but there was something more. Then he saw it—the empty scabbard at Quentin’s side. At once he understood.
“Come back with us, Kenta,” he said softly. “Yesterday we had a chance of finding them quickly. But now . . . now they have had enough time to cover their trail, to double back—who knows where they may be by now? To find them we will need help, and a leader. You are the king. Who will lead if you will not?”
“Anyone!” snapped Quentin. “Anyone better than I. You lead the search, Toli!” The king’s eyes burned savagely; his mouth contorted into a snarl of hate. “Durwin’s blood is on your head, as is my son’s if any-thing happens to him. They wou
ld be safe now if you had not left them alone. You are to blame for this—it is your fault!”
Toli, speechless, stared at his king and friend. Never had Quentin raised his voice toward him; never had he shown anger toward him. But then, he reflected, the king was right. It is my fault; I am to blame. I should never have left them alone and in danger like that. I am to blame.
“I am sorry,” Toli started. “Sorry—”
“Find my son!” shouted Quentin, his voice shrill. “Find him, or never let me set eyes on you again!”
With that, the Dragon King slashed the reins across the stallion’s white neck and wheeled him around. Blazer tossed his handsome white head, and Quentin glared at Toli. “Find him,” he said softly, his tone a threat. “Just find him.”
Toli stood in the road and watched his king ride away. He watched until a bend in the road took him from sight, then went back and mounted Riv and turned toward Askelon. No one spoke. There was nothing to say.
15
Nimrood sat brooding on a rock, hunched like a bent old root, twisted with age and warped by the dark forces within him. He was waiting for nightfall to undertake the final leg of their journey, for they had reached the eastern edge of the forest, and the rest of the way to the temple lay through open ground. He did not want to risk traveling by day; so they waited, restlessly.
Prince Gerin, his young mind alert to all around him, was confident he would not be harmed; and since he appeared in no immediate danger, escape could wait for the right opportunity—if he was not rescued first. He also saw quite plainly that his abductors had little spirit for the task they were about. But the old one, the one with the wild white hair and the face as lined and creased as worn leather, he was one to watch out for.
Who was he? What did he want, and where were they taking him? These questions occupied the young captive as he sat on the ground beneath the tree, two guards with him at all times.
He shifted uneasily, trying to loosen the bonds on his arms. One of the guards eyed him suspiciously, glared, but did not say anything.
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