by C S Marks
“That horrible woman thinks to set her sights on Galador!” said Nelwyn, obviously outraged.
“All right, all right,” said Fima. “We are all agreed that she is horrible. Yet for now, it seems, we must play her game.”
“Easily said by you, Fima, yet not so easily agreed to by me,” muttered Galador. “And I’m not so sure you should have frightened them with talk of pestilence.”
“Well, if you are not content with my recounting of events, feel free to elaborate in your own way,” said Fima. “I did not ask for the task of coming up with that story, yet it was given to me. Next time, you may have the job.”
“It would seem that the only way we may escape from this place is to make the Queen happy, and then lull her into relaxing her vigilance,” said Nelwyn. “How may we do that, Azori?”
“We give her what she wants, whenever she wants it,” Azori replied.
“And what do we have that she is likely to want? I mean, apart from Galador?” said Gaelen.
“She will want to be entertained. Gaelen, you can amuse her by singing and telling stories. Nelwyn…your dancing is extraordinary. Rogond, Hallagond, and I can wrestle, or spar with one another in mock combat. Fima, it’s obvious that your story-telling talents will be useful. I’m certain that Carmyn has talents as well, and Estle, you can tell a great story when you are so inclined, as long as you can keep your sardonic wit to yourself.”
“Oh, that will happen,” said Gaelen with a slight smile. Then she thought for a moment. “Tansy wants to re-take Fómor…perhaps we can convince her that our assistance would be valuable? I mean, most of us are warriors in some fashion. We have skills that would be useful—my stealth, Nelwyn’s marksmanship, Rogond’s cleverness and strength. We should convince her that we are not expendable, and that all will be useful. She benefits from all, or from none. Do you think that can be done?”
“I don’t know,” said Azori, “but it’s a good thought. It’s the only one that will keep me alive for long, I fear. If we agree that all serve the Queen, or none do, she might buy into the notion. We have some time for consideration, as she is far too curious to kill any of us as yet.”
“Where are our belongings?” asked Fima, who thankfully was still wearing his leather jerkin with Gorgon’s mirror safe inside.
“I don’t know,” Azori replied. “But I do not expect to see them again. We are in a den of thieves, after all.”
Fima’s question was answered upon being summoned to luncheon on the following day. When they next saw Queen Tansy, she was wearing the fire-cloak.
“I bring news, Elfhunter,” said Lord Kotos, leaving the raven’s willing form to occupy the amulet once more. He gazed out at Gorgon’s pale grey eyes and shook his head. “The Company has been waylaid by Fómorian Corsairs. I have flown over their encampment and have discovered where the prisoners are being kept. Up to now, at least, they appear to have been kept well. Yet we cannot allow this to continue—nothing must interfere with Lord Wrothgar’s plan.”
“And how would you suggest we prevent it?” growled Gorgon, who knew nothing of Corsairs. “Is the enemy few enough that I might slay them by stealth? I cannot reveal myself, or even Orrion, to the Company. I’m certain you will agree!”
“They are far too many for you to take by stealth,” said Kotos. “Yet you need not fear, for I will accomplish our ends with a little aid from you, my most marvelous and worthy friend.”
“And how, precisely, will you arrange to do that? Not even you could beguile an army, I’m thinking.”
“One need only beguile the one who leads the army,” said Kotos. “I will need to fly into the encampment and spend some time there. Once I am certain of the lay of things, I will return and explain our plan.”
“Well, don’t take too long,” said Gorgon. “I shall be forced to hide here until you do. There are scouts, and I must not risk being seen.”
“You will blend into your surroundings as never before,” said Kotos. “I will bring water and food over the next few days. In fact, this may not take long at all. Now, open the pouch containing the valuables we took from the merchants at the oasis, will you? I need something from it.” Gorgon did so, as Kotos once again summoned the raven and used it as host. The raven approached the bag, reached inside, and drew out one of the few things of value—a golden coin. Then it took flight, circling once over Gorgon’s head in farewell before disappearing over the sand-hills to the north. Kotos knew that the way to ingratiate the raven, and therefore himself, was to bring Tansy something of value. If he could convince her that the raven would always arrive with a gift whenever it appeared, she would most likely welcome it.
Corsairs were like spoiled, intelligent children. They were very susceptible to temptation, especially to those seven temptations that were most powerful and deadly. Kotos had used them time and again to lure men, even Elves on occasion, into his service. Now he would appeal to Tansy’s greed.
The sun was rising by the time the raven arrived in Tansy’s private bedchamber. She had not yet stirred, as early mornings were not to her liking. The raven alighted on one intricately carved post at the foot of the bed and gave one loud croak, but Tansy was fast asleep and did not awaken. The raven gave a figurative sigh, ruffled its feathers, and waited for her to rouse herself. At first she rubbed her eyes when she saw the raven in her bedchamber. Yet the bird seemed tame, bowing when she spoke to it.
“Well, aren’t you the pretty thing?” she said. “What’s that in your beak, then? Did you bring a fine gift for me?” The raven bobbed its head up and down, causing her to smile again. “You did, eh? Well, let’s have it!” The raven fluttered to her outstretched hand, being careful not to sink its claws in. Then it dropped the golden coin into her lap.
“Aren’t you just the clever bird?” she said, examining the coin. “Such a fine, handsome lad you are. Here’s a little tidbit by way of thanks.” She took a sugared almond from a tray beside the bed and offered it to the raven.
After gobbling down the treat, the raven bowed again. “Thank you,” it said in its harsh raven’s voice. It is well known that ravens can mimic human speech, but Tansy was startled nonetheless.
“Where did you come from?” she asked. The raven did not answer, but took flight, leaving her to wonder. It sat up high upon the tallest tent-brace, preening itself.
“Fine, then, suit yourself,” said the Queen. “How did you get past my guards? There is no harm in your being here, I suppose. After all, you cannot understand what you overhear. Perhaps you will stay and help keep the watch.” The raven pretended to ignore her.
“Well, fine…then I suppose you aren’t really interested in sugared almonds?” She held a silver bowl full of sweets toward the raven, who ruffled its feathers, shook itself, and peered at the bowl with one bright, black eye.
Over the next few days, the raven became a regular visitor in the encampment, always bringing gifts for the Queen. Sometimes they were of value, such as a coin or a small piece of jewelry. Sometimes they were not; it was just as likely to bring a bit of colored glass. But Kotos wanted the raven to keep at least a semblance of typical behavior, and thus it would not be able to discriminate a shiny, worthless object from a shiny, valuable one. The Queen was amused no matter the gift. She wore the fire-cloak always, despite the fact that she was much too large to wear it well. It looked more like a “fire-cape” on her broad shoulders and tall frame. No matter—it was shiny, gaudy, and very, very valuable. Tansy adored it, though she did not as yet recognize its properties.
The Company entertained her each evening with songs, dancing, and tales—there was a deep enough well in Fima alone to sustain her for a long time to come. In the meantime, Hallagond and Rogond made themselves useful fitting and finishing weapons for the upcoming assault. They had skills the Corsairs valued, as did Nelwyn, who saw to the re-shaping and tillering of bows so that they would send their arrows on a truer course. Gaelen, who could not stand the sight of Tansy wearing the fire-cloa
k, limited herself to singing.
One evening, after partaking of a particularly fine meal and an especially large amount of wine, Tansy lay in her chamber in a half-stupor, speaking her inmost thoughts to the raven, of which she had become quite fond.
“Ah, my pretty one, perhaps you can advise me. My life has been good of late, and yet I am unhappy. There is something I want, and for the first time in my life I have been afraid to take it.” The raven hopped down from its perch and approached her, cocking its head to the side as though listening intently. Tansy laughed. “If I did not know better, I would think that you truly understood my concern. Yet I know I may speak to you, and no other will ever hear. It doesn’t matter that you do not understand.”
Tansy had never been more wrong. The raven cocked its head again as though entreating her to continue. She rewarded it with another sugared almond, which disappeared down the bird’s throat with lightning speed.
“Have you ever desired something just because you are curious about what it’s like? Of course you have…you’re a raven! Well, I wish to know the embrace of an Elf. Only a handful of my race has ever known it, and I wish to be among them. It is my greatest desire to be with Galador, despite his cold and proud demeanor. Maybe my desire is even greater because of it! I don’t know. He isn’t the sort that I usually find appealing, but somehow I cannot help myself. I want to march into his chamber, drag him out by his hair, and not release him until he agrees to be my consort. Can you understand that feeling?”
Kotos could indeed, for he had witnessed and even encouraged such behavior countless times in the past. Yet now the prospect was alarming.
If Tansy tries to take Galador by force, all will be interrupted. He would almost certainly reject her advances, or even scorn her openly…some in the Company might not survive, notably Galador. Of all in the Company, Nelwyn must not fall! Our plan rests on her, yet she might try to defend Galador, at her peril. This would undoubtedly enrage Tansy, and she might just kill them all to save face. The time has come to act.
He waited until Tansy had fallen asleep, lying with her mouth half-open, snoring softly. One hand grasped the hilt of a blade, as if preparing for a sudden defense upon being awakened by an enemy. Tansy was never without a weapon, and the Company had learned that she was very accomplished with her two curved swords. Tansy was strong, clever, and surprisingly agile for her size.
She was not prepared, however, for the invasion of her mind by Lord Kotos, and she offered no resistance. The raven gave one half-hearted squawk as the evil presence left it, and then moved to the dressing-table, helping itself to the rest of the sugared almonds. If any guard had entered the room, he would have seen the Queen and the raven, just as he had left them.
Kotos knew he would encounter no difficulty, as Tansy was very susceptible to temptation, like most Fómorians. She held the same values as an intelligent, spoiled child. Kotos knew now which of his favorite temptations would bring about his desired end: not greed, nor gluttony, nor wrath; not sloth, nor envy, nor even vanity. No, this time lust would serve best.
Kotos loved all the temptations in his arsenal. Vanity, or pride, was his favorite, for he had even managed to lure Elves beneath the edge of Darkness with that one. Kotos reminisced for just a moment about Aincor Fire-heart, whose pride had served to bring about the downfall of so many servants of Light.
Tansy was no Fire-heart, but Kotos would use the fire of lust that had been kindled in her heart. He spoke to her inner mind, the one that dreams, and told her of how her great desire could be realized. He sent to her images of a High-elf so magnificent that Galador could not even compare. This Elf was golden, with golden armor. His name was Orrion, and he would come to her each night, but only in her dreams.
If she would release the Company, and return their possessions, Orrion would come to her in the flesh. Then she would receive more pleasure than even a Corsair would ever have known. It would be a night so sublime that no other experienced by a mortal woman would rival it. Kotos soothed and promised and tantalized Tansy. He beguiled her as easily as a child with the promise of sweet things.
The image of Orrion’s cold, handsome face would not leave her, even upon awakening. All of her other concerns had been supplanted by deep, irrepressible longing. She went to her bed early for the next few nights, anxious to see him again, to feel the caress of his large, skilled hands, and to wander freely in the realm of dreams, where all desires were met. Lord Kotos was only too happy to oblige. Yet Tansy longed for the true possession of Orrion, not just in dreams.
Finally, Kotos grew weary of toying with her. He asserted his will, calling a council and ordering the Company to be set free, despite all expectation to the contrary. You have not really known what you would do with them anyway, he told her. They are far too upstanding to deceive you into believing that they would ever really act in your favor. Now, you must not have them killed, as that will not please Orrion—your golden lover. Tansy put forth no resistance to the idea. She would have done nearly anything to please Orrion…and the creature who controlled him.
Most of the Company’s possessions were returned to them by the disgruntled Fómorians, who did not even pretend to understand their Queen’s command. Azori, in particular, was stunned. “What in the world could have gotten into her? I’m not sure I want to leave the encampment…they’ll probably impale me for trying to escape. I tell you, they’re going to kill us all. They must have decided that we are of no use, and they would never, ever give back anything of value. They have returned our weapons, our horses, and all our valuables. This is a trick!”
“Not quite all of our valuables,” muttered Gaelen, who was still incensed at the sight of Tansy wearing the fire-cloak. “It appears that Her Majesty has come to see us off. How very thoughtful.”
Gaelen vaulted onto Toran, who had not been ridden in a fortnight and was now acting his usual childish self, prancing and dancing and annoying her. She took a deep breath, mastered her frustration, and stroked Toran’s neck to calm him. As she did so, she wondered, looking upon the garish sight of Tansy in full regalia, what was different about her. Ah! Where is the raven? Gaelen had not seen the Queen without her black-feathered escort in recent memory. It does not matter. Perhaps Tansy has eaten it.
She turned to Azori. “We can’t just stand here. We should cross the river before they change their minds. If it is a trick, they’ll kill us whether we stand or go. I do not think Tansy would have come to see us off if they were trying to claim that we were escaping. Whatever she asks, they do. I’m just not sure why she would set us free.”
She looked over at Nelwyn, who stood beside her. “You lead, and I will follow.”
Nelwyn nodded. She had been very anxious to escape the Corsairs for some time, as the delay in reaching Tal-sithian wore heavily on her.
Without another word, the Company departed, following Nelwyn’s lead. Only Azori, Estle, and Hallagond kept their eyes turned over their shoulders, expecting spears and arrows at their backs. Yet none came.
As soon as they were out of range, Gaelen approached Rogond, such that Toran and Eros trotted side-by-side. “As soon as we have gained enough distance from them and camped for the night, I’m going back,” she said. “That absurd woman has something of mine, and I intend to reclaim it. We will have need of it, Thaylon, and there is no other to be found. If the Company stays far enough to the north, they will never catch us. I have observed them—they do not ride well.”
Rogond knew better than to dismiss her out of hand. “You would go alone into such a dangerous place, and risk all that lies ahead? The fire-cloak has served its purpose to the Company, Gaelen. It has saved Fima’s life, and yours, and Hallagond’s. It aided in the defeat of Lokai. It has passed on.”
“Its part in our quest is not yet fully played,” said Gaelen in a deadly serious tone. “We need the fire-cloak. I need it. I will not leave it behind unless no choice is given me.” She looked hard at him. “Please do not put me in the po
sition where I must choose between doing what is right and doing what you and the others would have me do. Trust me, instead.” She smiled at him. “You know I can do this. They are far less wary than many, and are not familiar with the stealth of Wood-elves. They will never know that I have been among them.”
Rogond sighed. “You should not go alone,” he said. “Someone should go with you and watch the horses while you accomplish your task. Take Nelwyn, or take Estle. And…perhaps you should ride someone other than Toran. He might make the same mistake as before and betray you unwittingly.”
Needless to say, Gaelen chose Nelwyn to accompany her, as Estle would not have seen the sense in it. Gaelen asked Galador if she could ride Réalta, who was seasoned and knew to keep quiet at all times.
“Of course you may ride him. He owes you his life,” said Galador, who for once did not argue, though he was unhappy with the idea of Nelwyn’s returning to the enemy encampment. “At least if you are seen, you will both escape. Gryffa and Réalta are swifter than anything the Corsairs can set against them.”
He shook his head. “Just try not to get caught. We cannot risk the fate of Alterra in coming after you. If you are captured, you will have to find your own way out.”
Galador made certain that Nelwyn heard his rather unsettling admonition before embracing her and seeing them both on their way. Réalta lifted his proud head and taunted Toran. Now who was deemed most worthy? He then needed to avoid a swipe from Eros, who, though he loved Réalta, sometimes found his prideful nature irritating.
After they had gone, the remaining members of the Company sat around their small fire, knowing that none would sleep this night. It would not take long for Gaelen and Nelwyn to accomplish their task if all went as planned. If they had not returned by sunrise, there was reason to worry. Rogond looked over at Galador, who stirred the fire first one way, then the other.