The Wizard's Curse (Book 2)

by Jenny Ealey

  Danton had learnt enough about battle wounds to know that this young man had little hope of survival and even if he lived, he would be lame for life. He could not bear the distress he saw on the faces inside that room. He pushed himself out from against the wall and melted up into the shadows of the hillside. When he reached the tree, he called quietly, “Lapping Water, are you there?”

  In the next instant Lapping Water was standing beside him. Despite himself, he jumped when he turned and found her there next to him.

  “Blast it! You people take a bit of getting used to.” He took a breath, “Lapping Water, there are two young people injured and, I think, dying down in that house. I don’t know how they were injured but I can’t stand by and let their parents watch them die. Please will you ask Tarkyn to come down and use his esse on them?”

  “Danton, we do not concern ourselves with the affairs of sorcerers and wizards. It is unfortunate but it is not for us to interfere.”

  “Lapping Water, I’m not asking you to interfere. I’m asking Tarkyn to.”

  “He is a woodman,” stated Lapping Water flatly.

  Danton ran his hand through his hair. “Please. Send him my message. Surely it is up to Tarkyn to decide for himself.”

  “We must protect him and he must not betray our presence.”

  “I will go before him and pave the way. I will protect him.”

  Lapping Water was clearly unhappy, “I will send your request but I will also voice my opinion.”

  Danton nodded, “Thanks. I’m sure every other woodman and woman will voice their opinion too, but at least they will know what I know.”

  After a moment, she returned into focus and asked, “How many people are down there? What type of people? What resistance might you expect?”

  Danton had already summed up the situation in his head, “There are nine farmhands, a kitchen hand, the healer and the parents. Judging by the way they looked after the wounds, they haven’t dealt with much fighting. Saying that, they look quite strong and would probably fight to protect their lord against an attack, even if inexpertly.”

  After a brief delay, Lapping Water looked at him disapprovingly and said, “Tarkyn is willing to do as you request. He has conferred with everyone. We have come to an agreement that Tarkyn may go down but on three conditions. He must be accompanied by you, Waterstone and Autumn Leaves. I will stay close by to relay the situation, should anything happen to the two woodmen. Waterstone and Autumn Leaves will not enter the house but will keep watch from outside the windows and be ready to intervene if necessary.”

  “Agreed.”

  “Secondly, you must promise to place Tarkyn’s welfare above all else.”

  Danton waved an impatient hand, “Of course. And the third condition?”

  Lapping Water looked at him coldly. “If any or all of those people sees one of us or becomes aware of our existence, they will be killed instantly.”

  Danton exhaled a deep breath. “That seems fair.”

  “So will you, if you betray our presence,” added Lapping Water, not at all pleased.

  Danton shrugged, completely unmoved by this snipe. “I would expect nothing less. After all, I swore to conceal your presence on pain of death.”

  The woodwoman subsided into a disgruntled silence.

  It was not long before Tarkyn and the two woodmen appeared out of the gloom. Surprisingly, Summer Rain followed in their wake.

  Danton frowned in confuson, “You’re not coming in to heal them, are you? They’re not allowed to see you, surely?”

  “No, young man. Of course I’m not. I have come down close to the house so Tarkyn can relay images to me and I can advise him. I’ll have to give my advice in images so that should be quite a challenge for me. If worst comes to worst, you could duck outside and confer with Waterstone and I’ll send the words to him.”

  “You could come and stand outside the house too,” suggested Danton.

  “No, I could not,” replied Summer Rain severely. “We cannot afford to lose our healer on some trumped up adventure.” She poked him in the chest. “And we can’t afford to lose our forest guardian, or these boys or even you, for that matter. So be careful.”

  Danton was so overcome that she had included him in that list that he forgot himself and bowed to her, “Yes ma’am. I promise we will not save their lives at the cost of our own.” He straightened to find himself surrounded by suppressed smiles. He gave a slight shrug and grinned, “I know. But old habits die hard.”

  Chapter 17

  “So, are we going?” asked Tarkyn, “Or shall we stand here chatting while these two sorcerers bleed to death?” As they headed down the ridge towards the farmhouse, he added, “I presume you will precede me to introduce the idea of my presence gently?”

  “I think I had better.” Danton pointed to the two dogs who were now straining at their chains trying to reach Tarkyn, but still managing to restrain their excitement to the odd quiet whine. “Perhaps you could chat to these dogs while I pave the way. They are obviously keen to see you.” He shook his head briefly in wonder. “I’ll be back shortly. Waterstone and Autumn Leaves, if you come with me, I’ll show you where I stood watching.”

  Once the woodmen were installed outside the window, Danton walked around to the front of the house and calmly knocked on the front door. There was a sudden silence followed by a flurry of activity on the other side of the door. When the door opened, five of the farmhands stood in a semicircle before him, cudgels in hand.

  “Good evening. My name is Danton Patronell” said Danton urbanely, “I wish to speak to the master or mistress of the house.” He waved a hand around himself. “As you can see, I am alone.”

  “They’re busy right now and not to be disturbed.”

  “I know they are busy. Perhaps I could speak with the healer although no doubt she is busier still.”

  A short wiry individual said, “Here. How do yer know there’s a healer in here?”

  Danton smiled and replied calmly, “I saw her arrive and watched her activities through the window.” He paused, “I’m sorry. I don’t know your name.

  “Bantram’s my name. Yer’ve got a bloody cheek. Get on yer way before we send yer on it.”

  Danton leaned in and lowered his voice. “I suppose you realise that, without further help, neither of those young people in there will see the dawn.”

  “The healer knows what she’s doing,” came the belligerent reply.

  “I agree with you. I think she does. So ask her whether or not I’m right.”

  The wiry man’s eyes narrowed and after a moment’s thought, he started to move away.

  Danton put up a hand, “Might I suggest you don’t talk to her in front of the parents?”

  Bantram paused. “Yer full of good ideas, ain’t yer? Keep yer eyes on him,” he said to his mates over his shoulder as he disappeared into the lounge room.

  A few minutes later, the healer returned with him, shutting the door behind her. She wiped her bloodied hands on her apron, “Yes, young man. What can I do for you?”

  Bantram indicated Danton with a grimy thumb and said, “This bloke says these kids won’t see temorrer without other help. He reckons yer know that as well.”

  Tears sprang to the healer’s eyes. She nodded. “I’m afraid he’s right. But worse than that, there is no other help.” She let a sob escape before she pushed her apron against her mouth to stop herself.

  The semi-circle of farmhands looked stricken.

  “Madam, there is something else that can be done,” said Danton gently. “I have a… friend waiting nearby who can heal them.”

  The healer shook her head. “They are beyond saving. The girl has internal bleeding and is descending into a fever. The boy’s leg would have to come off if there were to be any hope of him surviving and I don’t know how to do that. He would bleed to death.”

  “I know how desperate it is. Believe me. Otherwise, I would not have offered this assistance.” Danton spread his han
ds, “What do you have to lose? They will die anyway without the help.”

  The woman looked at him, summing him up, then nodded briskly. “Come inside. Explain yourself to Tol and Juney. I will support you.”

  Once inside the lounge room, Danton glanced quickly at the injured young sorcerers. The young man had lost consciousness in the intervening period.

  Faced with the two distraught parents, Danton bowed and said gently, “My name is Danton Patronell. I happened to see your children’s suffering as I passed outside your window. I have come to save their lives, if you will allow it.”

  Both parents’ eyes widened and they looked at the healer who nodded. “I have done all I know how. I don’t know what this young man and his friend can offer but your children will not live with only the help I have given them. They need more than I can do.”

  The lord and lady looked at each other and then asked, “Can we trust him?”

  The healer shook her head, “I don’t know. I’ve never met him before. But without him they will surely die so it seems there is nothing to lose.”

  The lord straightened himself up and stared Danton in the eye. “What payment do you require for your services?”

  The surprise on Danton’s face was clear for all to see. “I do not think of payment, sir. I think only of your children’s lives.” He paused, “In fact, I am taking a great risk in coming in to see you but I could not leave them to die and you to suffer if I, if we could help.”

  The lord became brusque. “Time is short. Bring in your friend and see what you can do.”

  Danton bowed, “Thank you, my lord.” He hesitated, “There is one more thing before I fetch my friend. I need your guarantee that you and your staff will not harm my friend, no matter what you may think of him.”

  The lord frowned, “That seems a very odd request. Is he deformed, frightening or violent? Are we under threat from him?”

  “No. I do not find him frightening but others may. However, I can assure you that he does not present a threat to you. Do I have your guarantee?”

  The lord waved his hand. “Yes. Provided he does not attack us first.”

  Danton considered for a moment before nodding. “Agreed. I will return shortly.”

  The parents were conferring quietly with the healer when Danton returned. The farmhands did not recognise Tarkyn as he walked in but the lord and lady, having travelled more widely, knew him instantly. They blanched and sank into a low bow. The healer and farmhands, seeing their reaction, followed suit.

  “Please rise,” said Tarkyn quietly. “Would you mind leaving the niceties of introduction until I have attended to your children? I understand their situation is grave.”

  The lord and lady rose and nodded in dumbstruck agreement. Tarkyn turned to the healer. “Who first?”

  “The boy, my lord,” said the healer who, not knowing who he was, was less overawed. “He’s bleeding to death. It may already be too late.”

  Tarkyn nodded and knelt down beside the injured boy. He focused on the boy’s leg, relaying the details to Summer Rain. After a short, visual conference, Tarkyn closed his eyes and placed his hands on the young man’s shoulder. He sent his strength down through the boy’s body until he came to the damaged leg. He flowed in and around the torn blood vessels and wove their fabric back together as best as he could with the jagged bone ends still sitting in amongst them. He stayed inside the young man giving him enough strength to renew his blood supply. Then when he was sure the boy was strong enough to survive, he pulled slowly out and came to himself kneeling in the lounge room of the farmhouse.

  “The boy will live,” he declared flatly, taking a few deep breaths to restore his own strength. “We will mend his leg after I have seen to your daughter.”

  Without waiting for their response, he moved to the side of the young woman lying on the couch. Her face was now flushed with fever and when he pulled back the blanket, it was soaked with perspiration. He could see that the wound had already festered. He focused on it and waited for Summer Rain’s response. After a few moments, he turned to the healer and asked, “Do you know of a herb that has small yellow and blue flowers in summer and red berries in the autumn?”

  The healer nodded. “Yes. It is called the mountain sunrise. I did not know it had any healing properties. The berries on it are poisonous. Are you sure you have the right one?”

  “Bring some to me and I will check.”

  As the healer hurried out into the front garden, Tarkyn turned his attention to the young woman before him. He placed his hand on her shoulder, well away from the wound and sent his mind and life force down through his hands into her damaged shoulder. The muscles had been ripped mercilessly apart by the arrow’s thrust. The edge of her lung had been nicked and although she was not drowning in her own blood as Tarkyn once had been, the blood was slowly seeping into the surrounding tissues and clogging her breathing. Within the wound were traces of dirt and some substance that Tarkyn suspected was a poison. He tuned his mind and sent images back to Summer Rain. She merely visualised him repairing the tearing so he followed her instructions and did so. He wove shut the cut on the side of her lung and gradually drew the fibres of her muscles together and provided the healing force for them to knit. Then he flowed through her blood stream searching for the bacteria that were taking her over. He didn’t really know what he was looking for so, in the end, he used the techniques he had used on Rushwind’s infestation and projected a sharp wave of anger through her. Somewhere outside, she cried out as it burnt through her and for a moment, he was aware of a struggle before the sound faded away. Tarkyn soothed her bloodstream and left her with enoughesse to repair and recover.

  When he withdrew, Tarkyn found himself next to Danton, surrounded by Danton’s aqua shield. On the outside of the shield was a ring of angry sorcerers, frustrated in their attempts to attack Tarkyn and rescue the daughter of the house. Tarkyn smiled at Danton and ran his hand through his hair.

  “Thank you my friend, for minding my back. It’s a dangerous game, this healing.” Tarkyn ignored the sorcerers standing on the outside of the shield. “We’ll just sit here quietly until she comes round.” He nodded over at the young man. “I think he’s beginning to come to already. Not really what I would prefer. We have yet to repair his leg. It will hurt him a lot less if he’s out to it.” He shrugged and directed a smile at the father, “Still, you can’t blame anxious parents for over-reacting. It was a remarkable leap of faith for them to let me anywhere near their children in the first place.”

  Behind him, the young woman moaned and fluttered her eyelids. Slowly she opened her eyes and gazed up at Tarkyn. A small frown of puzzlement appeared on her forehead and a smile played around the corners of her mouth. “I know you, don’t I? But I’ve never met you. How strange.”

  “I came into you to repair you. I expect your mind knew I was there, even if you were unconscious.”

  She gazed around her. “Why are we within someone’s shield? Are we under attack?”

  Tarkyn gave a short laugh. “No. You are not under attack. I am. Someone did attack you and send an arrow into you earlier today but you are safe now.”

  In response to a nudge from Danton, Tarkyn turned around and discovered that the pendulum had swung once more and all the sorcerers outside the shield were now on their knees bowing in supplication and apology. Tarkyn sent Danton a dry look and stood up. He put his hands on his hips and made them wait a considerable time before saying, “Provided you do not intend to continue your attack on me, you may rise. However, should any of you lay hand on me, I will have you summarily executed. Do I make myself clear?”

  With murmurs of, “Yes Your Highness,” the lord, his lady and their liegemen rose to their feet, shaken and contrite. It did not seem to occur to any of them to query how he might have them executed. His manner brooked no doubt and, as Danton thought to himself, Tarkyn actually meant it or he wouldn’t have said it.

  “You may remove your shield, Lord Danton.
Thank you for your assistance. Now, I believe introductions are in order.” Tarkyn paused then said, “I am Tarkyn Tamadil, Prince of Eskuzor and Guardian of these Forests.” He indicated Danton. “My friend, Danton Patronell, Lord of Sachmore.” He nodded permission for the lord to speak.

  The lord and lady bowed very low. “Your Highness, I am Tolward, Lord of Middle Grasslands and this is Lady Juniper, my wife. My daughter, Edelweiss, you have already met and Winguard my son.”

  “And your liegemen?”

  The lord barely masked his look of surprise as he went on to introduce all the members of his holding. Lastly he came to the healer whom he introduced as Karlian.

  “So Karlian, do you have my herb for me?” asked Tarkyn.

  Karlian curtsied and held out the prescribed herb, “Yes my lord.”

  “Thank you.” Tarkyn stood still for a moment and focused on the herb, sending the image to Summer Rain. Then he looked up and smiled, “This is the correct herb. It needs to be boiled until it softens. Then make a paste with it and place it on Edelweiss’ wound. It will draw out the poison that was on the arrow tip.”

  “Certainly, my lord.”

  As the healer turned to leave, Tarkyn called her back, “Perhaps someone else can boil it up for you. I will need your assistance with young Winguard here.”

  Tarkyn knelt down next to the young man, ignoring the fact that every set of eyes in the room were trained on his every movement. He watched as the young man gradually became aware of his surroundings and then focused in on the prince.

  Winguard frowned and said coldly, “I know who you are. You’re the Rogue Prince. Stay away from me.” He lifted a feeble hand to push the prince away. Tarkyn leaned away from him until his arm dropped and then leaned back in. Winguard shook his head to clear it but only succeeded in feeling more bewildered. “But you’re not a rogue, are you? I know you. You’ve met with me inside me, haven’t you?” He shook his head. “I don’t understand. I must be going mad. How can that happen? And if you’re who I met inside, you’re nothing like you’re supposed to be.” Winguard looked around at the people gathered there, with a hint of panic in his eyes. “Father, say something. Tell me what’s happening.”