The Wizard's Curse (Book 2)

by Jenny Ealey

  Just then String erupted through the doorway dripping wet, and demanded, “So, do you have lookouts out there already?”

  “Always,” replied Waterstone.

  “And did they already know about the warning shot if we go too far?”

  Waterstone nodded.

  String breathed a sigh of relief and sat down. “Oh, well, that’s all right then. No one shot at me. So it must be a reasonable area to move around in.” He looked around expectantly, “So, whose turn is it to make the next cup of tea?”

  Part 8: The Curse

  Chapter 39

  By mid-afternoon, the storm had cleared, leaving the forest glistening and damp, mud and puddles underfoot. As they prepared to leave, String asked casually where they were going and was horrified to discover that they were heading up into the mountains.

  “We’ve only just come down from there. What about our furs? We haven’t even had time to take them into a settlement and sell them.”

  “And you’re leaving it a bit late, you know,” added Bean whose beard was now neatly plaited into eight thin braids. “The weather’s starting to close in. If you thought that storm was bad this morning, wait until you’re in one full of sleet and snow,”

  “All the more reason to set off quickly,” said Waterstone firmly. “We can organise to sell your furs for you, if you would like us to. Where are they?”

  The trappers looked at each other and then at Waterstone. Bean nearly spoke but thought better of it and turned to String again. A strange silent conversation ensued where they nodded and grimaced queries and uncertainties at each other.

  Eventually, Waterstone lost patience with them and turned on his heel to walk away, “Let me know what you decide. It makes no difference to me but might make a lot to you, if your furs are spoiled by the time you come back.”

  Tarkyn strolled up and said to the two trappers, “You’ve offended him, you know. Waterstone is the most trustworthy person I have ever met.” He paused, “And you might like to remember that, as far as you’re concerned, both Ancient Oak and he are princes, just as I am.”

  Faced with that reminder, the two trappers scrambled to their feet and bowed.

  “I beg your pardon, Sire,” said Bean. “I’m afraid we are rather out of practice with social niceties.” As Tarkyn turned to walk away, Bean rolled his eyes at String and said sotto voce, “Being stuck with woodfolk is one thing. Being stuck with court etiquette is quite another. This six months could turn out to be quite a trial.”

  Tarkyn swung back around and glared at him, “I do not appreciate snide remarks behind my back. You will find that I do not, in fact, expect all the etiquette of court but I do expect respect, both for myself and for everyone else. I suggest you speak to Danton about my expectations. If, after that, you are still dissatisfied, then speak to me about it. But whatever you do, do not complain about me behind my back. Clear?”

  Bean glanced at String then nodded. After a slight pause, he asked, “And will we find that your expectations include us enduring tongue-lashings from you, as the mood takes you?”

  Tarkyn put his hands on his hips and shook his head in amazement, “These forests seem to breed an excessively independent attitude, whether you be woodfolk or sorcerer. And to answer your question, yes. If I choose to take you to task, you will have to endure it but I will give you right of reply, which is more than you would be given at court.”

  The trappers exchanged glances. “Seems fair,” said String. “Now, before you go, would you mind telling us who this forest guardian is? Rainstorm mentioned that they were the home guard for him…”

  “Could be a her, String.”

  “Yes, could be… and we can’t figure out who or what it is.”

  Despite his previous displeasure, Tarkyn grinned and gave a slight bow, “Look no further. You see him before you. I am the Guardian of the Forest.”

  String’s brow wrinkled, “So, is it just a courtesy title instead of prince?”

  The prince shook his head, “No. It is far more than that.” He stopped short as he remembered what Danton’s reaction had been; that Tarkyn was either unhinged or conning the woodfolk. He eyed the two trappers, “You don’t know much about me but two things you have hopefully learnt by now; I am honest and straightforward and I am not mad.”

  String and Bean thought for a moment before nodding.

  “I would agree with that,” said Bean. “So, your point?”

  Tarkyn took a deep breath and smiled self-consciously, “The guardian of the forest is a figure of woodfolk legend who appears among them every four or five hundred years to support them through a time of serious strife. The guardian is a person with magical power who can be recognised because of his or her particular abilities.”

  “Which are…?” asked String.

  “The ability to heal and promote growth, and the ability to communicate with animals.”

  Bean’s eyes grew round. “Can you do that?”

  Tarkyn nodded, smiling. “I use that ability to talk to Midnight. That’s why only I can talk to him.”

  Bean frowned repressively, “He is not an animal.”

  “No, of course he’s not. But I can exchange images and feelings with him, just as I can with animals and with all woodfolk, for that matter.”

  “Not words?” asked String.

  “No, not words. I wish I could, but only woodfolk can use words.”

  “So, it is as we thought,” said Bean slowly. “Although you tell us you are woodfolk, you do not have their abilities and do not look like them. And obviously you belong to the highest sorcerer family in the land. So…?”

  “So, I have been inaugurated into the woodfolk nation as a member of Waterstone’s family because I have demonstrated my dedication to upholding my oath to them.” Tarkyn unconsciously drew himself up, “I am very proud to have been accorded that honour. I am the first outsider ever to have been accepted as one of them.”

  Bean whistled, “That is impressive. And what did you do that impressed them so much?”

  Tarkyn waved a dismissive hand, “I think I have done quite enough of blowing my own trumpet. You will have to go elsewhere for that information.”

  “He gave us the chance to kill him so that our kin could be released from the oath and woodfolk unity could be preserved,” said Rainstorm, coming up behind him.

  The two trappers stared at Tarkyn who suddenly felt as though he had grown two heads. He couldn’t meet their eyes and after an embarrassed moment, muttered, “I had better go and see what Midnight is up to.” With that, Tarkyn wheeled around and strode off.

  Bean put his hands on his hips as he watched the prince walk off into the middle distance. “He’s amazing, isn’t he? At the start of this conversation, I was resenting having to put the effort into standing up and bowing to him. But I’m beginning to realise that he is far more impressive than he comes across at first meeting. Compared to his worth, he is quite modest in his demand for recognition, isn’t he?”

  “And Danton thinks Tarkyn is the only person who provides any hope for the future of Eskuzor,” added North Wind entering the conversation at this point. “So in time he may become a legend for you sorcerers as well.”

  “And you haven’t heard anything yet,” responded Rainstorm with some pride. “Wait ’til I tell you about him rescuing our woodfolk from the sorcerers, saving the forest from the sickness, healing the sorcerer’s children and best of all, persuading the mountain eagles to come to his rescue. Tarkyn is already a walking legend for what he has done, as much as for being our forest guardian.” The young woodman shrugged and added casually, “Doesn’t mean I’d bow to him or do what he says, necessarily. There are limits, but…”

  “…. in reality, you would cut off your right arm for him,” finished North Wind for him. “And so would I,” he added before Rainstorm had time to react. “With or without the oath.”

  After a slight hesitation, Rainstorm grinned and nodded, “True. Yes, I would.”
/>   Chapter 40

  As Tarkyn walked past Sparrow who was using some sticks to build a miniature shelter, he noticed her glance up at him and then look quickly back down at what she was doing. He stopped dead and squatted down beside her on the muddy ground, privately ruing the state of his mud-splattered leggings.

  “Hello, young one,” he said. “Am I wrong, or are you mad at me?”

  “Why would I be mad at you?” said Sparrow aloofly, keeping her attention fixed firmly on what she was doing. “I haven’t seen you enough to have anything to get mad about.”

  “Sparrow, look at me.” When the little girl reluctantly raised her eyes, Tarkyn continued, “Have I been neglecting you since Midnight arrived?”

  Sparrow shrugged, “You don’t have to play with me if you don’t want to. You’re not my dad.”

  “I am your friend though, and your uncle. And I like doing things with you. Midnight can’t replace you, you know. He’s his own person, just as you are.”

  Sparrow sniffed, “At least I can talk.”

  For a moment Tarkyn’s eyes narrowed but he merely said, “Yes, that’s handy isn’t it? I can talk to you about lots of things that I can’t talk to Midnight about. And it makes it so much easier for you to do things with your friends, doesn’t it?”

  Although nothing in Tarkyn’s tone gave away that he didn’t like what she had said, Sparrow’s face reddened “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. It was mean.”

  Tarkyn smiled and ruffled her hair, “It was a bit, wasn’t it? But also true. And unlike some of the mountainfolk, you haven’t been mean to him. In fact, you have helped me by including him in the mock battle and playing in the slingshot tournament with him.” He grinned, “And let’s face it, he’s not the easiest character in the world to get on with.”

  A slow smile dawned on Sparrow’s face. “No, he’s a bit tricky. He’s very shy, you know. The only time he’s played with more than one person is when you were there.” She hesitated, “Dad says Midnight’s had a hard life.” There was a long pause while she finished off her little shelter. Finally she looked up at Tarkyn and took a deep breath, “But I have too. I lost my mum. So why is it okay for Midnight to be so naughty and run away all the time? And he put you in danger and I don’t want to lose you too.”

  “I don’t want to lose you either, so I promise I will be careful. Come here,” He twisted around to sit on a damp log with a mental apology to his leggings and swung Sparrow onto his lap. “You have had a hard time losing your mum. But you know, you have always had Waterstone who must be the best dad in the world.” Sparrow nodded briefly as though this was obvious, “And you have Autumn Leaves, and Ancient Oak and Thunder Storm and Creaking Bough and all the other kids….Midnight has had no one. He has never had a dad, his mother hated him and the only people he ever saw in his life who liked him were String and Bean, and he only saw them once every few months.” He considered Sparrow for a minute before saying, “His mother used to beat him all the time, you know, when he wouldn’t do what he was told, even if it was because he didn’t understand.”

  Sparrow drew in a shocked breath, “That’s awful. No wonder he runs away all the time.”

  Tarkyn nodded, “He gets frightened. We’re just lucky he doesn’t react by lashing out at everyone.”

  “He attacked Rainstorm and Thunder Storm, though.”

  Tarkyn chuckled, “Yes, he’s a feisty little thing, isn’t he? He attacked Rainstorm for saying something mean about me, and Thunder Storm to protect Autumn Leaves. Both times he was protecting someone. It wasn’t rage or fear. When he’s scared, he runs.”

  “Is it true that his dad was a sorcerer?”

  “A wizard, no less. That’s a sorcerer who has learnt a lot about magic.”

  Sparrow looked up at Tarkyn, “So, does that mean Midnight can do magic too, like you can?”

  Tarkyn raised his eyebrows in surprise, “Do you know, I hadn’t even thought of that. That’s a very interesting question.” He smiled. “I’ll have to see whether I can teach him some. He can’t say incantations so that will limit him a bit, but maybe thinking them might be enough. I don’t really know. You can help me, if you like. What do you think?”

  Sparrow nodded enthusiastically, “That would be fun, as long as he doesn’t use his magic to run away or to hurt anyone.”

  “Yes, good point. I’ll have to sort that out with him first. I wish Stormaway were here. He’s the expert on magic.”And he would know what that curse meant, Tarkyn added to himself.

  “Wish no longer, sire. I am here.”

  Tarkyn’s head whipped around to find Stormaway Treemaster, dressed once more in his everyday green forest attire, producing a low florid bow. The old wizard straightened up and smiled, “I am pleased to see you, Your Highness. I hear you have acquitted yourself well, both with Lord Tolward and his family, and with the mountainfolk. Lord of the Eagles, no less. Most impressive.”

  Ignoring the inaccuracy about the eagles, Tarkyn swung Sparrow off his lap and stood up to grasp Stormaway in a bear hug. After a slight hesitation, Stormaway returned his embrace.

  “I am so pleased to see you, Stormaway. There have been times when I sorely needed you. I have missed you on this journey and I thought that we would be going over the mountains without you.”

  When they drew apart, Stormaway was a little flustered but did his best to cover it up.

  “Hurumph. Well, here I am now. I do not like to begin our renewed acquaintance with a rebuke but I am not at all sure how seemly these public displays of affection are, my lord.”

  Tarkyn laughed, not at all fazed by the wizard’s response, “Stormaway, you told me yourself that, within the forest, my word is law. So it is up to me, is it not?”

  The wizard, having recovered his equilibrium, gave a slight bow, “It is indeed, Sire, and I would thank you for your warm welcome.” His eyes dropped to Sparrow, “And how are you, young lady? And how is your Dad?”

  “We are fine. Dad’s off doing something with Danton at the moment but he’ll be back soon. Tarkyn has had a very hard time but he is nearly better now.”

  Tarkyn frowned, “What do you mean,nearly better?”

  Sparrow giggled, “You still jump at sudden noises sometimes, you know. Rain on Water and I have been watching you. We threw a rock into the bushes yesterday as you walked past, just to see you jump.”

  “This is the sympathy I get,” he said wryly, smiling at Sparrow. Then Tarkyn raised his eyes to meet the wizard’s fleetingly before looking away again.

  “I begin to realise that I have been away too long,” said the wizard gently. “I am sorry for that, my lord. The affairs of the realm are moving fast and I became involved in the intrigue at the encampment.” He patted Tarkyn firmly on the back, “Perhaps I need to remember that my first loyalty is to you, not to Eskuzor.”

  “Is it? I was not sure of that, Stormaway. I thought perhaps your care for me sprang solely from my value to Eskuzor. All the portents you saw were, after all, why my father and you worked to protect me.”

  Stormaway threw a speaking glance in Sparrow’s direction and made no reply. Tarkyn gave the little girl a pat on the head, “Would you mind if we had a chat on our own now, Sparrow?”

  Sparrow rolled her eyes, “I know. Adult’s business. I’ll go and see if I can find Midnight,” and skipped off.

  “Tarkyn, that is true. I do care about what you may offer Eskuzor in the future and I have worked on your behalf long before I knew you as a grown man. But it is not for me to decide the fate of Eskuzor. Her future is in your hands, not mine. And so, to support Eskuzor, I must support you.” The old wizard took a deep breath and met the prince’s amber eyes, “But my care for you runs deeper than that. Your father was my dearest friend. We may have fallen out over various issues from time to time but despite it all, our friendship ran strong and true over many years. He loved you as a child and so did I. And there is enough of your father in you that I feel a strong connection with you th
at you probably do not return. I suspect I feel that I know you better than I actually do.” Stormaway shrugged, “So, there it is. I know you find me tiresome and old fashioned at times. And I know I make you angry. But I have pledged my life to you, for your sake and for your father’s sake and, last of all, for the sake of Eskuzor.”

  Tarkyn half raised a hand then let it drop, “I don’t know what to say, Stormaway. I’m sorry I doubted your intentions and I am sorry if I have treated you overly harshly in the past.” He gave a rueful smile, “Perhaps whatever it was that set you at odds with my father, exists also in me. I have noticed that I get up on my high horse more with you than with anyone else. On the other hand, you try to dictate my behaviour more than anyone else.” He shrugged, “But I can tell you this; I value your support and your wisdom and knowledge. And I have never had greater need of them than I do now.”

  Chapter 41

  While Tarkyn filled in Stormaway on the events that he had missed, Danton and Waterstone were slipping quietly through the undergrowth, searching for two missing sorcerers. When Journeyman and his troop of sorcerers had reached the area covered by the next group of woodfolk, there had still been nine horses but two riders had seemed rather stiff and lifeless. Closer inspection had revealed that these riders were, in fact, stuffed dummies. Somewhere along the way, two sorcerers had detached themselves from the main party and disappeared into the forest.

  Waterstone kept in constant contact with all lookouts but it seemed that these sorcerers were skilled at moving unnoticed or had gone to ground. The lookouts could not possibly cover every part of the forest so there were many places where the sorcerers would be able to move undetected. However, they would not know which places these were, so sooner or later they would be spotted. Above Waterstone and Danton, high in the trees, another six woodfolk were fanned out scanning the ground below them for any signs of movement.

  Finally, after more than an hour of searching, Ancient Oak sent through a message to say that a sorcerer had been spotted, sitting quietly against a tree, beneath the overhang of a bush, eating some of his provisions. Waterstone and Danton changed their direction of travel to intercept him.