“I got bored there. Although it isn’t as clean here as I hoped it would be.” She pointed at the hem of her gown that was soiled with mud and dirt. “ But I am enjoying this special event. After all, one simply can’t have enough fun in life.”
Theodore met her gaze. He’d forgotten how blue her eyes were. “You are mocking me, my lady.”
She began to walk, her usual contingent of guards a respectful distance behind. “Walk with me, Theodore.” He joined her, not sure what her purpose was, but intrigued nonetheless. “Do you believe that these festivals are a waste of time and money, and that most royals have nothing on their mind except trivial court matters?”
It was almost as if she read his mind. “My lady?”
She waved to a group of children who were chattering excitedly as they watched her. “You wouldn’t be wrong if you thought that, Theodore. But you must realize that life in the court has its own rhythm and pace of movement. If one is to survive it, one must be clever and strong.”
“And you are both, my lady.”
She laughed. “Now, you mock me, Theodore. As you must have realized, I am the least important royal. My kingdom is the smallest, and I have no magic.”
“That wouldn’t stop a determined person like you from achieving your goals,” he said, without thinking about it. “I am sorry, my lady, I meant…”
“You paid me a compliment, Theodore. And I appreciate it. You’re right. I have to use whatever means are at my disposal to do what I want to do. It’s much like what you are doing. You are doing whatever you can to help your king, even though he may be misguided in his attempt to challenge Vindha, who is known be to a powerful mage.”
“King Seve is not misguided,” said Theodore, bristling at her comment.
“Loyalty is quite becoming on you,” she said, unperturbed by his reaction. “Tell me about your king, and his sisters.”
Although he was taken aback by this abrupt change of topic, Theodore didn’t falter. “King Seve is a born strategist. He is also a well-trained warrior, and an accomplished water mage.”
“I’ve heard that he can do manipulate his element to a degree no one has ever been able to do before?”
“He has honed his art to perfection,” said Theodore.
“What about his sisters? They are said to have twin powers of elements.”
“Princess Zo is a master mage of air and fire, whereas Princess Alicia commands earth and air. They are both talented beyond measure,” he said. Why did she want to know about them? Was it mere curiosity or something else? Queen Catherine’s motives were quite puzzling.
“Princess Alicia’s healing skills are renowned. She is said to possess an expertise that many healers envy.”
“All earth mages have healing abilities, but Princess Alicia has devoted years to the study of medicines, their compilation, and their effects on the human body. She is indeed the best healer in our kingdom, and perhaps the world,” he said with pride.
“Together, the siblings present a formidable threat to King Vindha’s plans for domination. And yet, King Seve’s plans depend on cooperation from King Amber. Why doesn’t he directly challenge Vindha?”
“War strategy demands that he use his resources at a place and time where they are most effective but if King Amber doesn’t agree to his plans, King Seve would mobilize his army anyway.”
“So if King Amber agrees to Vindha’s proposal, King Seve would be left alone to fight an army that is at least three times the size of his forces.”
Theodore stopped in his tracks. “What proposal?”
Queen Catherine turned to him, a surprised expression on her face. “Oh! Have you not heard? King Vindha is offering a peaceful existence to all those kingdoms who accept his supreme authority. If the reigning king or queen agrees to acknowledge him as their emperor, he would not invade their kingdom. Instead, they would pay taxes to him and rule in his stead.”
Anger roiled in his heart. Theodore took a moment to bring his emotions under control. “So you would voluntarily give up your freedom, and that of your subjects, as long as you can remain on the throne as a figure head?”
Her expression didn’t falter. “I’m afraid that I am nothing more than an insignificant player in this game of strategy. King Amber is the one who matters the most because his kingdom is not only the biggest, it also gives access to the rest of this part of the world. If he decides to collaborate with King Vindha, the rest of us may have no option but to accede to the same plan. It’s either that or we participate in a war that we have no chance of winning.”
“Has King Amber officially declared his alliance with Vindha?”
“They are still discussing the terms of the treaty.” She shrugged. “Not that King Vindha is willing to negotiate. Amber will eventually have to accede to Vindha’s demands, no matter how unjust they are. It’s only a matter of time before Amber announces his decision.”
Theodore ran a hand over his hair. If King Amber was already considering joining hands with Vindha, there was little sense in wasting his time here. Perplexed, he watched the queen. Had she deliberately sought him to out in this crowd to inform him of this development?
What did she hope to achieve?
“Why are you telling me all this, my lady?”
With a quick shake of her head, she stared at him, looking amused for some odd reason. “I was hoping you could do something about this situation.”
“Do what?”
One of her assistant came running. He whispered something in her ear. “I must go,” she said. It was the first time he saw her looking frazzled. “There has been some bad news. We must talk again…soon.” With quick strides, she walked away.
What news could she have received? Theodore shook his head. He’d more important things to do. Her confession that things weren’t going the way he had hoped changed the scenario. There wasn’t any point in hanging about at the court. If King Amber had sent his emissaries to Vindha then he was inclined towards Vindha’s proposal.
His own time would be better used if he served his own king. His mind made up, Theodore located Maya and they both left the festival to go back to the barracks where they were given rooms. He told her about the information he received from the queen. Hastily, he stuffed his clothes in his pack while Maya sat on a chair and watched him.
“If King Amber joins hands with Vindha, we may actually not have a chance to win this war.”
Theodore folded his blanket. Queen Catherine had said the same thing; even if it was true, he didn’t have to like it. “I just want to leave this damned place. It was a waste of time to come here in the first place. You will have to stay here, and wait for an official declaration. I hate to leave you alone, but if Amber is considering an alliance with Vindha, we must inform King Seve as soon as possible.”
He felt limited by the need to maintain the secrecy of their mission. It would be a simple matter to do a scrying spell and talk to Seve, but he had been specifically forbidden to do so. Minions of Vindha spent their entire time listening in to such conversations, and he didn’t want to give away their plans well before time.
After biding a farewell to Maya, he left the barrack. For a moment, he wished he had a chance to finish his conversation with the queen. She was on the brink of saying something before they were interrupted. What more did she want to tell him?
Although he could have easily borrowed a horse from the royal stable, Theodore didn’t want to waste time in unnecessary explanations. If someone got wind of his imminent departure, one of the king’s minions may attempt to stop him until he got an official permission from the court. He went to the local stable and purchased a gelding. The horse had a black, shiny coat and was bred for stamina and speed.
Soon, he was outside the city wall, and on to the road that led to the eastern pass. Theodore wasn’t sure how he would be received in Iram as he didn’t carry a message back from King Amber, but since he was sure that Amber and the rest of the royal crowd would not stand
against Vindha, he didn’t feel the need to wait for their response. Surely, King Seve would appreciate his need to do something more useful than to give attendance at the court each day.
After committing himself to the return trip, Theodore wasted little time. He pushed his gelding hard. The horse was well-rested and made good time. The night was dark and the moon a sublime, silver shadow in the sky when he stopped in a copse of trees. Although he could have stayed in the local inn, he didn’t want to run into the king’s men. Glad to be away from the frivolities of Aba’s court and the confined luxuries of the city, he slept well. At dawn, after a hurried breakfast, he resumed his journey again. The trail was well-traveled, and he met many caravans traveling to and from the city. He spent little time chatting with the people, concentrating instead on covering as much distance as he could. Near midnight, he reached the camp near the eastern pass.
Bypassing the tented community, he camped under the base of a tree. He used a long length of coil to tie his horse to a wooden post. It gave the animal enough leeway to graze in the meadow but prevented it from wandering too far away. Tomorrow he would be out of this zone and back into the killing grounds of Vindha.
What was Vindha up to now? After leaving behind mountains of dead bodies, he appeared to have changed his strategy. He was now luring allies by promising them safety. It was a brilliant move, of course. News of his savagery had already traveled far and wide, and no one wanted the same fate. Few would dare oppose him and risk sharing the same end.
Even without fighting, he appeared to have won a victory on this side of the mountain range. Theodore deplored the spineless kings and queen he left behind. Were they so eager to protect their thrones that they would willingly subject their kingdom to slavery?
Footsteps warned him to the presence of a visitor. Someone was walking towards him. “Who’s there?”
“It’s I, Baahir.” He was carrying a flask of wine, and two empty cups. “It’s good to see you. I was at the post in the camp and saw you passing by. It’s been really boring for the past week. I was glad to see a familiar face.”
Suspicious, Theodore didn’t relax his protection shield. What did Baahir want? Theodore hadn’t seen him since their arrival in court together. The mage had left the city soon afterwards. “I’m going back to Iram,” he said.
Baahir sat. He put the wine and cups down. “I thought so. Where is your friend?”
“I’m alone. She is still in Aba.”
Baahir poured wine and passed the cup. “Why? Haven’t you received your reply from King Amber?”
“No.”
Baahir drank his own cup. He looked more haggard than Theodore remembered. “Why are you going back then?”
The bitterness in his heart couldn’t be contained anymore. Theodore drank the wine. The tart, potent liquid burned its way down his throat. “The answer is going to be no. Haven’t you heard? Your king is ready to make an alliance with Vindha.”
Baahir poured himself another cup of wine. He downed the cup in one big gulp. “Strangers have been visiting our camp. There is something going on, and I don’t understand it.”
Feeling comfortable with the aftereffects of the wine, Theodore raised his cup. A warm glow spread throughout his body. “You’re not paid to understand, but to obey.”
“True enough,” said Baahir, as he filled his cup again. “But what are you going to do?”
“I’m going back to my king, and we are going to fight a battle, even if no one else comes to our aid. We will win or lose, but me and my countrymen are not going to surrender without a fight.”
Baahir downed his cup. He sat for a moment contemplating upon Theodore’s words. “I am from a village. Once, I remember when I was four, a tribe attacked our village. They wanted to take away the women and children and kill the men. Everyone fought, even the women. No one left the village. My father was gravely wounded. He lost his arm. But you know what he told me? He said, “Son, your home, your freedom and your family are all that you have. Never let them go, even if it costs you your life.”
Theodore realized his cup was empty. He poured himself some more wine. The jug was already half-empty. His head felt a bit fuzzy, but it was nice to unwind after a hard day’s ride. He raised his cup in a toast. “A wise man, your father.”
Baahir raised a finger. “And he was brave too. He had no magic, no sir, he didn’t. No one in my family did. I was given this gift, and I did my best to learn it, and use it well. But what use it is, I ask you, if I can’t help someone with it?”
Theodore nodded. “No use at all.”
They swapped a few more stories, both of them embellishing and exaggerating their childhood tales and achievements. Theodore’s head began to spin. He hadn’t eaten much, and the wine was more intoxicating than anything he’d ever had before. Exhausted, he lay his head down on his pack and passed out.
He thought he heard Baahir mutter something, but he couldn’t be sure as he was soon fast asleep, lulled into a state of complete contentment that was brought about by the wine.
In the morning, his head throbbed with a painful intensity. His tongue felt as if it was wrapped in foul-tasting cotton, and he squinted at the harsh sunlight that threatened to render him blind. The last time he drank so much wine was when he was sixteen. Since then he never overindulged, no matter where he was. Last night had been a rare indulgence, the price of which he would have to be pay today.
Cursing Baahir, he gathered his belongings. After drinking a few cups of water, he thought he was well enough to embark on his journey. His stomach heaved, but at least he was able to stay on his horse. Taking out a scarf, he tied it around his head so as to shield his eyes from the sunlight. The water did little to ease his headache.
His gelding was well-fed, and covered the distance to the pass at a gallop. Baahir waited there, under a tree. He showed no sign of suffering from the effects of a night of heavy drinking, but then he was ten years younger. One glare from Theodore was enough to elicit a smile from him.
“I thought you might be feeling a bit under the weather, so I bought you something to ease your pain.” He offered a cup, full to the brim with honey-brown liquid.
“I don’t want your cursed wine,” Theodore growled, fighting the stabbing pain in his head.
Baahir suppressed a snort of amusement. “I got this healing brew from an old healer up north. It will cure your hangover in a moment.” He walked up to Theodore and offered the cup.
Not sure if he wanted to believe the man responsible for his vile condition, Theodore accepted the offering. He sniffed at the brew. It smelt horrible. “What is it?”
“Just drink it. You will thank me later.”
More to annoy Baahir than anything else, he checked the liquid for poison or magical tampering. Satisfied, he drank the entire cup in two great gulps. It left a bitter after taste in his mouth. “What do you want?” He handed the cup back.
“I am coming with you. You probably don’t remember, but I told you last night.” Baahir pointed to his horse that was munching contently on a patch of green, luscious grass. “I have been waiting here since dawn. If there is going to be a battle against Vindha, I want to be there.”
Baahir’s departure from the camp amounted to nothing short of desertion. He was an employee of the kingdom, and his allegiance, as such, should be with his king. Theodore ran a hand through his horse’s mane, not sure if the younger man understood the implications of his action. “You will never be able to come back here.”
“I’ve no family.” Baahir walked over to his horse, and opened the rope that tied the animal to a tree. “My parents died a long time ago. There is no one waiting for me back home, and I need to do this.”
“What if Amber joins hands with King Seve?”
Baahir shrugged. “I would be happy if that happened, but if it didn’t, I want to be with those who are fighting for justice.”
For a long moment, Theodore watched the younger man as he mounted his horse. The stren
gth of character he’d only glimpsed was all too visible. Baahir was determined and sure of his purpose. “What about the archers at the pass?”
“I’ve told the commander that I’m going on the king’s business with you. Sooner or later, they will discover that I lied. Since I have no intention of coming back, it doesn’t matter to me.”
There was little else Theodore could say. “Let’s go then.”
They set off, and were soon out of the valley that formed the eastern pass. Since they both wanted to get as far away from Izba as they possibly could, they urged their mounts to gallop fast. Suddenly there was a loud boom, and a large ball of fire, unlike any he had ever seen before, flew upwards out of the forested land on their right. Theodore brought his horse to a stop. “What was that?”
Baahir calmed his stallion, fighting to get the startled animal under control. “No one ever comes into Izba from that direction. That way is the Moor of Mrityu. It is a haunted, deserted marshland that has claimed many innocent lives. What could possibly be happening down there?”
Theodore was wrestling with the desire to investigate the source of the magic they had witnessed. Who could have set off a fireball that was so monstrous in size? The mage who conjured it must be powerful. Could it be one of the demon mages he’d heard about? He quelled the urge to take a closer look.
“We shouldn’t be wasting time on idle pursuits,” he said. It was imperative that he get to King Seve and inform him about the recent developments. There was another loud boom, and this time a strong gust of wind flew out of the forest. On the wake of it came out two riders, both riding hard, as if their lives depended on it.
“What’s going on?” said Baahir.
They watched the riders come closer. As yet, no one pursued them. Theodore squinted. One of the riders looked awfully familiar. He was almost sure…and yes, there she was. “That’s Princess Alicia.” He slapped his gelding, motivating the animal to break into a gallop.
The Warrior Mage Page 19