The Stone of Cuore

by Stephen I. Carmer

Strange Glows amid the Trees

  A loud knock came to the door. Platov stared at Tate wondering what to do. Then they heard a voice calling them. Platov cautiously slid back the heavy beam. Pensively, he opened the door to see Kyrus and one of Tancred’s workmen named Kaspar standing on the other side.

  “Klara summons you both to the kitchen,” Kaspar said as he stared down at Platov. His eyes lifted and he looked over Tate just the same. He was old with baggy clothing and grizzly hands that had been put to hard work for far too long. Platov had been introduced to him in the Great Hall as Kaspar was in charge of hanging the great painting.

  “We not be allowed to be seen,” Platov replied anxiously. Staring at Kyrus he was intimidated by his posture and powerful glare. A sword hung from his belt and he wore the medallions of a decorated Commander of the Queen’s Army.

  “The Queen has retired for the evening,” Kyrus stated officially.

  “Go to the kitchen door, Klara is waiting for you. Leftovers from the great banquet, such a feast not often coming,” Kaspar said. He seemed kindly compared to Kyrus. Turning toward Kyrus he said. “They be Tancred’s new apprentices.”

  Kyrus nodded and then he was watching Tate who was behind Platov looking nervous and intimidated.

  “Go on with you now,” Kaspar said with a bit more authority. “Tomorrow we have plenty of work to put idle hands too. No sense in you going hungry. You won’t be worth a day’s work going hungry.”

  Platov nodded and then with Tate, they stepped out around Kyrus and made their way to the courtyard. The horses had been put into the stables while the carriages were lined up in a neat row near the gatehouse. Taking to the outside of the keep, they went around the tower and then onto the kitchen. As Kaspar had said, Klara was waiting on them. She looked exhausted and not nearly as cheerful as when they had met her before. Tersely sweeping them to the table she passed each a bowl of broth and a shaving of freshly roasted meat on a simple cast iron plate. Then dabbing her head with her apron, she went to cleaning up the kitchen with a broom fashioned from lengths of reeds wrapped around a long slightly bent stick.

  “The Queen, she be staying until morning,” Klara announced as if the Queen’s presence was somehow painful to her. Given the added tasks of cooking for all the important guests, she was rather strained in her appreciation of the royal visit. Then she brought over a loaf of sliced brown bread. Risen and soft, the bread smelled aromatically like molasses. A freshly churned soft and creamy bowl of butter followed. Then she stood with her hands on her hips while staring at Tate with worried eyes.

  “The Master, he wants to show you,” Klara said tersely. She was looking at Tate in particular with worried eyes. “I gives you a charm…”

  Tate looked up.

  “Do not speak,” Klara said. “I gives you a charm, make your eyes sparkle. The Queen canst know that ye naught be a wizard. Speak nothing to the Queen for she will have the men take you.”

  Platov glanced between Tate and Klara and then delved into the sliver of carved roasted boar covered with a thick brown gravy.

  “Tomorrow, you be seen,” Klara said with worry in her tired voice. “Maybe the Queen she be going then. Master just wants to show you off. He says he will be seen teaching you, that he says. I canst say no, but what if the Queen takes you? Master says not to worry…”

  After dinner and another helping of strudel, the boys made their way back to the tower. Outside the gate they could hear the rumble of men telling tall tales around campfires. Climbing up to the top of the tower, the two looked out over the road. The glow of small fires lit up the forest while they could see dark figured moving around. The smell of meat roasting over flames filled their nostrils. Occasional burst of boisterous laughter broke over the muffled voices. Two men were on the roof, but neither paid any attention to the boys. Looking down on the parapets, more men were standing guard but the lot of them was only spread along the front curtain wall. Torches burned every few feet.

  Klara had pressed a charm into Tate’s hand just as they left the kitchen. He was clutching it tightly. In the flickering torchlight, Platov could see a strange sparkle in Tate’s eyes. The charm was casting a special magic over Tate.

  “I will not be seen by the Queen,” Tate whispered in resignation.

  “Tancred will be angry,” Platov said.

  Tate shrugged and looked over the encampment of men. Certain that he would become one of them, he considered what it would be like to be conscripted into the Queen’s service. Her elite escorts enjoyed special privileges, but the common drafted foot soldiers were rarely allowed any consideration. Twice while he lived in Pristina, Tate had been hidden from the men who came around seeking conscripts. At only twelve years old, he was of age to be drafted.

  Platov heard heavy footsteps behind him. Turning around he took in the sight of Kyrus.

  “Kaspar be looking for you,” Kyrus said gruffly. Then without further words he walked off to examine the other men standing guard. Harsh orders were shouted down to the parapet where two guards had moved away from their post.

  Platov and Tate hurried back down the narrow spiral stairs and raced off to the stables.

  “A fine feast!” Kaspar toasted them both with a tankard made of spun metal. The Queen’s horses were all lined up in compartments amid the smell of freshly cut hay. Kaspar guzzled grog from his tankard and then looked over the boys with weary eyes.

  “Come gets your blankets. Collect some firewood out back for the night. Tomorrow you be rising with the first sliver of dawn. Master wants you dressed and under the tree for your lessons early. Maybe you being wizards will have a notion of what he says. You make him proud!” He laughed jovially, lifted his tankard again and guzzled down more grog.

  Platov looked around the stables and then saw blankets piled up on a bale of fresh hay. Gathering up the woolen blankets, they made ready to go.

  “Firewood be out back,” Kaspar pointed. “Master thinks he will be a great wizard teaching you both.” He laughed rather mockingly.

  Platov nodded and then with Tate they left the stables. Outside they nearly stumbled into two of the Queen’s protectors. Called Hounskulls by the helmets they wore. The warriors were among the elite forces in the Queen’s service. Carrying spears and walking slowly, the two Hounskulls glanced down at the boys while muttering several unkind words. Finding firewood behind the stables, the boys gathered up as much as they could carry on top of the blankets. Then watching the Hounskulls distrustfully, they waited until they were out of sight in the gloomy darkness.

  Hurrying back across the courtyard, the boys climbed into the gatehouse tower and then slipped into their chamber without being seen. Platov barred the door while Tate used a torch to light the fireplace.

  “What if we do not learn anything?” Tate asked with a head full of doubt. He carefully placed the charm on the table while Platov laid out his labradorite stone. Then Platov removed the Sage from his cloth bag. Setting the orb down next to the charm he looked at the eyes as they blinked open.

  “Tate hast to be a wizard,” Platov said.

  “I canst make Tate a wizard,” Sage replied.

  “The Queen will take him,” Platov worried.

  The orb’s eyes blinked.

  Tate had climbed up on a stool and was peeking out over the campfires from the narrow open arrow slot.

  …

  Dawn had not broken over the smoky forest when Platov was awakened by a pounding at this door. Carefully opening the door, he peeked out to see Kaspar. Without words spoken, Platov understood that it was time to get up and sneak off to the kitchen.

  The boys dressed quickly and then Tate took his charm while Platov carefully wrapped up Sage in the cloth bag. Tying the bag to his belt with a firm knot, he then dropped the labradorite stone into his pouch. Then they stole their way across the misty courtyard to the kitchen. Klara was baking fine cakes that smelled of cinnamon and herbs. Without a word she sent them to their table to await their br
eakfast. Klara looked worried and made it clear to Tate that he was not to speak unless spoken too. If the Queen came to the proofing then he was to kneel down and keep his head lowered. Then she checked his eyes to see that they still sparkled like those of a purebred wizard.

  After eating, they went outside and waited under a twisted orchard tree. Quintus had told them to wait there for Tancred, but how long they would be waiting the butler did not say. The early hours of morning passed as they watched the horses being taken out of the stables. Allowed to wander the horses were grazing on what parts of the overgrown lawn the goats had not already nibbled upon. Then the horses were put into their harnesses and lined up in front of the carriages. Considering it a good omen that the Queen would be leaving, the boys stayed near the orchard trees ever watchful for new developments.

  Then Tancred dressed regally in a vivid green robe strolled across the courtyard with several of his guests. They were wizards of that Platov was convinced as they all wore robes. The Queen was not among them.

  “Do you have the charm?” Platov asked nervously as he wondered what magical tricks Tancred would expect them to perform. Tate held up his tightly clenched hand and Platov could see the sparkle in his eyes. Then just for reassurance, Platov touched the bag with the Sage hidden inside. A sense of confidence filled him from the inside.

  Tancred was talking while the wizards scrutinized the apprentices. The conversation went on and Tancred appeared to have his guests intrigued by his words. Saying nothing about what Platov had or whom he had escaped from, Tancred introduced them both jovially.

  “Imagine my surprise to find them in the village. Mere apprentices of an artist!” Tancred said proudly. “Apparently, they were washed down the river. I say it was not merely by chance, for without lessons, they will never realize their full potential. Naturally, I purchased them from the artist without a second thought.”

  “I can see a remarkable talent,” one the wizards said while scrutinizing Tate.

  “They are quite remarkable!” Tancred said. “Both have great courage.” Then Tancred looked kindly at Tate. “Hold out your hand,” he instructed but then as he knew what Tate had in his right hand, he gruffly pulled Tate’s left hand up.

  “Go ahead, show them what you can do,” Tancred said with encouraging words. Tate flinched.

  “He is shy!” A wizard chuckled and Tancred nodded.

  “Very shy,” Tancred said. But then just as Tancred’s attention was turned to entertaining his esteemed guests a lightning ball appeared over Tate’s left hand. Tate flinched while Platov stood at his side. He too was startled. Tate held his breath while Tancred smiled proudly. The wizards applauded and then the attention was turned to Platov. Tate was doing his best not to show his terror, but he had seen Platov conjure such a trick and he only believed that Platov had put the lightning ball into his hands.

  “Platov will be my protégé, for as you see Tate has already mastered simple lightning balls, Platov has a far greater potential. Notice his eyes,” Tancred said sweeping the wizards away from Tate.

  As if the wizards were purchasing Platov, they all examined Platov’s eyes. The feeling of being scrutinized coldly made Platov flinch and tremble.

  “The talent of this young man,” Tancred went on boasting. “I am still investigating his bloodlines.”

  Several wizards spoke in agreement.

  Then Tancred stepped back. “Sabian has spoken of a remarkable feat that he witnessed Platov undertake. Stand back! Let the boy show you what he can do. I am sure when you see this you will agree that Platov is our most promising upstart.” He looked at Platov expectantly.

  Platov did not know what Tancred wanted, but then seeing the lightning ball still hovering over his terrified best friend, he conjured one of his own. Thinking about it without actually holding the Stone of Cuore in his hand, Platov wondered if the trick would work. Terrified of failure, he just made it happen. A large and growing ball filled with mysterious lightning swirled above his hand. Then packing it down as he often did just for fun Platov made it increasingly smaller and more powerful. The hair on his head stood up straight while the powerful force was pulling the wizard’s robes. The wizards with big eyes stepped back further and in awe watched as Platov launched the powerful lightning ball into the air. Floating up slowly the ball rose above the orchard and then high into the sky. Tancred was looking on expectantly and with a wishful thought, Platov made the lightning ball explode. The ground shook with thunder as the skies overhead lit up. Just like the lightning ball that had driven Wraith from the Village of Pristina, the blast spread out over the forest with a growing thunder. The wizards at first dumbfounded stared at the sight and then applauded. Tancred looked on proudly and much to Tate’s relief, his lightning ball had been pulled away by the power of Platov’s.

  “We will not have lessons today,” Tancred said dismissively after basking in his moment of glory. “You may help Kaspar with his chores.” Then holding out his arm, Tancred led the tour of impressed wizards back to the keep.

  “Did you put the lightning ball in my hand?” Tate whispered.

  “No,” Platov replied. “It was not Sage either.”

  The boys dawdled for a moment and then seeing Kaspar standing at the doorway of the stables, they went off to see what he wanted for the day. Later, peeking out from the stables, they watched as the Queen boarded her carriage. With much commotion, the carriages all left through the gatehouse.

  “Aye, she is gone,” Kaspar said with relief. “We can breath easy now. Some lightning ball Tate, you not being a wizard. Mighty impressive, Platov, but then the way Tancred be talking I’d been expected such a trick. Don’t be going about making your lightning balls, I don’t needs to be fixing the things you break!”

  Chapter 11: Wraith’s Return