The Wizard's Curse (Book 2)

by Jenny Ealey

  The woodfolk froze into stunned silence as Waterstone relayed what had just occurred. Even the children didn’t move. Waterstone and Autumn Leaves stood with mouths agape. Only Tarkyn and Stormaway looked at one another in satisfaction and smiled.

  As a wave of release spread forth from the prince, the woodfolk suddenly came to life and rushed in to cluster around him.

  “You really did it,” said Tree Wind wonderingly, “I wondered whether you really would when you finally worked out how to.”

  Tarkyn raised his eyebrows at her. “Of course I did. I always said I would.”

  “But you lose so much power,” she protested.

  “No, I don’t. I have always said the oath should only depend upon the honour of the woodfolk. All that changes is our fear about the forest.”

  After a moment, Waterstone recovered enough to say, “Please explain.”

  Tarkyn grinned, “A long time ago, I asked Stormaway what would happen if I ordered him to remove the sorcery in the oath. You were there. Do you remember?” Waterstone nodded shortly. “He said ‘I’m so glad you phrased it like that because I would refuse.’” Tarkyn shrugged and smiled, “He lied. And he made me think that he would see the forest destroyed sooner than follow any order I gave to defuse the oath. Until today, I didn’t realise how significant it was that Waterstone’s refusal to obey my order had inflicted only minimal damage on the forest. But today, I put the pieces together and realised that Stormaway had been bluffing. Even if he had refused, the forest would have suffered only minor damage. But he would never have refused.”

  The prince glanced at his retainer, “Stormaway swore the oath with the rest of you but he is happy to use any deception at hand to further my cause, as he sees it. In the end, he is a man of honour who has always done his utmost to protect me, even to the extent of lying to me. But faced with a direct order, he will always uphold his oath to obey me.” Tarkyn gave a gentle smile, “Correct?”

  Stormaway inclined his head, “Yes, my lord. And had you ordered me back then, I would have tried to dissuade you but had that not worked, I would have obeyed your command. It was a close call. Rather than ordering me, you asked me, would I not defuse the oath. You gave me the upper hand and I took it to keep you safe.”

  Waterstone stared at the wizard through narrowed eyes, “And what about your oath to Tarkyn’s father? You said you had promised Markazon that you would not destroy the sorcery in the oath.”

  Stormaway gave an apologetic smile, “Only partly true, I’m afraid. Markazon made me promise that I would not destroy the oath’s power for as long as I could, without refusing a direct order. So I could never have told Tarkyn how to defuse the oath but on the other hand, Markazon would never have countenanced me disobeying his son.”

  “But he didn’t mind you lying to his son?” asked Autumn Leaves.

  The old wizard shrugged, “Markazon and I worked closely together for years. He knew how I achieved my ends. He, of course, could see straight through me and knew I would never work against Tarkyn. So he left me to follow my own style. He knew that, over time, Tarkyn would see through me too and give me a direct order. We both hoped that by then, he would have gained enough authority in his own right to be safe among you woodfolk.”

  “Given that we could not be trusted to uphold an oath,” said Waterstone tersely.

  “Given that we were entrusting the future of Eskuzor to you and you were an unknown quantity,” retorted Stormaway.

  Tarkyn held up a hand to stop their bickering and addressed the gathered woodfolk, “And so my friends, the long awaited day has, rather surprisingly, arrived. Our forest is safe from the retribution of the oath.” A cheer went up and Tarkyn was inundated with calls of thanks. Everywhere shoulders were straighter and more relaxed, and faces became smoother as lines of tension disappeared. “Today, everything changes even though most things will stay the same. The oath you swore in return for your people being saved from the epidemic is now based purely on trust and your honour, just as it always should have been.”

  Tarkyn would have said more but he suddenly realised that many woodfolk had actually dissolved into tears and were embracing each other.

  “You have no idea what a strain it has been for us trying to emulate a foreign culture; trying to follow foreign requirements with the sword of retribution hanging constantly over us and our beloved woodlands,” sniffed Tree Wind as she clung to Summer Rain.

  Creaking Bough and Thunder Storm stood with their arms around each other and their children, “And now, at last, we can be sure our children will have a home to grow up in,” rumbled Thunder Storm, his face wet with tears.

  As Waterstone hugged Autumn Leaves, Sparrow and Ancient Oak came over to join them. Waterstone wiped his eyes and gave a damp chuckle, “And now I will hold the dubious honour of being the person who caused the most damage to the forest.”

  “What about Rushwind?” asked Sparrow.

  “No. That was really the infection, not her,” said Ancient Oak, completely dry-eyed. He patted Waterstone on the shoulder, “No, I’m afraid there is no doubt that that honour goes to your father. But so does a lot of the credit for helping Tarkyn to trust us enough to release the forest from the oath.” He looked around at Tarkyn, “Come on little brother, what are you doing standing over there by yourself? I know you and Waterstone are fighting at the moment but it will pass. It always does. Come and be part of the celebration.” When Tarkyn hesitated, Ancient Oak walked over, grabbed him by the arm and dragged him back. “Come on. You can continue your fight with him later, if you must. Now is the time to celebrate. After all, you must be relieved too.”

  As Sparrow, Autumn Leaves and Waterstone enclosed him in their embrace Tarkyn nodded, feeling tears well up more because Ancient Oak had made the effort to pull him in, than because of the oath.

  Ancient Oak rolled his eyes, “No wonder you two fight so much. You’re both so bloody emotional.”

  Tarkyn and Waterstone frowned at each other, “We don’t fight that much,” they chorused.

  Ancient Oak laughed, “I never fight with either of you.” He looked down at Sparrow, “Do I?”

  Sparrow shook her head, “No,” she said seriously, “You are the steady one in the family.”

  “Thanks very much,” exclaimed her father. “I am not unsteady.”

  Tarkyn shook his head, “No, you are not unsteady.” He smiled, remembering a conversation with Raging Water about his own volatility, “Perhaps passionate is a better way of putting it.”

  “There’s a lot to be passionate about, around you,” he retorted without thinking. Sensing Tarkyn’s immediate withdrawal, Waterstone said, hastily, “No, no, no. I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry for what I said and for underestimating you, yet again.” He gave a cheeky grin, “I told you it would be a struggle to live with a legend. How can one get one’s head around the true measure of you?”

  Tarkyn frowned and smiled, not sure how to take him.

  Suddenly Waterstone grabbed him in a bear hug. “Oh you big galoot! How can one hope to keep up with you? You look like a lost puppy one minute and the next you’re laying down the law and mounting hopeless rescues that actually succeed. Once more, I’ve cut you to the quick but all I can do is say I’m sorry.”

  Tarkyn returned his embrace but said with a wry smile, “I wonder how many lifetimes it will take for woodfolk to really, deep down trust any sorcerer?”

  “Oh stop it,” exclaimed Waterstone impatiently. “Now you’re being melodramatic. I trust you. That’s why I was so shocked and angry. What I thought you had done undermined my whole faith in my ability to judge people. Turns out I was wrong. Bad news for you is that I’m bound to be wrong some time again in the future. You’re too hard to predict and I’m too quick to jump to conclusions. In the interests of family harmony, next time I will give you the benefit of the doubt before ripping your head off. Agreed?”

  A reluctant smile spread across Tarkyn’s face, “Agreed.” He drew
back, “I’d better go. I have a bit more to say before we head off. Could you get everyone’s attention again to save me shouting please?”

  When all eyes were once more turned his way, Tarkyn continued, “Before anything goes wrong, I need to make sure we all understand the new rules of engagement. It is not all good news for you, I’m afraid. After all, the oath still stands, upheld by your commitment to repay my father.” He gave a little smile, “And now I have no need to fear endangering the forest if I issue an order.

  “Since the forest is no longer your whipping boy for your transgressions,” he continued, “from now on, you will have to face your own consequences for your own misdemeanours, should they occur. In general, I would expect consequences to go no further than you struggling with your own conscience and honour. However, if a serious transgression occurred I, in consultation with you folk, would decide upon the retribution. The final say is mine.”

  Tarkyn raised his eyebrows, “Any objections so far?” Other than a couple of closed faces, there was no indication that this was causing any distress.

  He let his vivid eyes travel across them all, “Today, I realised that I have been too diffident.” With some amusement, Tarkyn noted stunned expressions at this pronouncement, “Because I am inexperienced in the way of the woodlands and because I did not wish to intimidate you, I have downplayed my training and my heritage. However, when you all assume that I could panic to the extent of endangering you all, enough is enough. To save myself from appearing even more arrogant than usual, I will leave Waterstone and Autumn Leaves to fill you in on our previous discussion in due course.” He paused, “However, one thing I will say before we move off; there seems to be a pattern developing of discussing my shortcomings behind my back. I don’t know what I have done to make you feel unable to talk to me when an issue arises but I will say two things about it. Firstly, it shows little respect for me and so contravenes the oath, but secondly, and for me more importantly, it isolates me.”

  “Sorry, Tarkyn,” Rainstorm piped up, “We were just having a bit of fun.”

  “You may have been, but there were a lot of discontented people who didn’t come to see me about it or stand up to me at the time.”

  “Perhaps you should consider your personal style,” suggested Running Feet tentatively.

  Tarkyn turned to glare at the woodman and snapped, “Perhaps you should consider my personal style and not be so cowed by it.” Seeing Running Feet’s stricken face, he waved a hand and relaxed into a rueful smile, “Sorry, Running Feet. You are right, and I am right. I need to remember you are not used to being ordered around, or snapped at or being told off. I’m afraid my upbringing was a poor training ground for showing respect to people beyond my family. I am trying, but obviously not with total success. On the other hand, you people should know by now that I do care about you and that I will listen, if not at first, at least when you persist.” He shrugged, “And without wishing to undermine myself completely, perhaps you should bear in mind that a rebuke from me is far more commonplace than, say, a rebuke from Waterstone or Autumn Leaves or Thunder Storm.”

  “It still tears your guts out,” responded Rainstorm.

  “And makes me want to crawl into a corner and hide,” rumbled Thunder Storm.

  “And makes you feel like you’ve been hit in the face,” said Bean.

  “And tends to belittle one, although of course it is up to you,” added Stormaway suavely with a slight bow.

  The prince ran his hands back through his hair and locked them behind his head. “Ooh dear! I’ve opened a can of worms here, haven’t I?”

  “You did ask people to tell you,” said Lapping Water gently.

  Tarkyn looked at her, his heart giving an enormous thump that he felt everyone must be able to hear. He dropped his arms to his sides. “And what have I done wrong to you then?”

  “Nothing. I was just saying, that’s all.”

  “Oh. Oh, I see. Well, that’s good then, isn’t it, that there’s at least one person I haven’t upset?” Tarkyn felt a little flustered and tried to stare down Ancient Oak and Rainstorm who were both grinning at him. After a moment, he regained his own attention and asked, “Anyone else want to say something while we’re clearing the air?”

  Melting Snow took a little breath, said timorously in her tinkling little voice, “I find you thoroughly intimidating in every way,” and promptly blushed.

  Amidst a ripple of giggles and chuckles, Tarkyn blinked, “Oh dear. Well, I’m sorry about that.” He thought back over the events that had occurred since he met the mountainfolk and added, “Perhaps now that things have calmed down, I won’t be quite so, I don’t know…”

  “Irritable?”

  “Forceful?”

  “Autocratic?”

  “Arrogant?”

  “Fearsome?”

  “Bossy?” said a little voice.

  Tarkyn laughed as he turned to Sparrow and ruffled her hair, “And that will be quite enough from you, young lady. No, I was going to say ‘busy’. ‘Preoccupied’ was another possibility but thanks everyone for your suggestions,” He turned back to Melting Snow, “I was going to say that I won’t be sobusy now, so you may be able to get to know me better.”

  Suddenly Hail stomped up to stand in front of him, dragging Midnight by the hand, “Well, I just want to say that you’re an interfering, stubborn bastard and thank heavens you are, for my sake and for Midnight’s.” She thrust Midnight forward, giving him a hearty thump on the back and ruffling his hair as he went, “Here! You can have him. I’ve had quite enough of him for one day.” She glanced sideways at Bean and whispered gruffly, “Actually, I think they’re missing each other.”

  Midnight ran and jumped into Tarkyn’s arms. As Tarkyn hugged him, he said, “I heard that and yes, I was missing him.” He smiled down into Midnight’s brilliant green eyes beaming up at him from beneath his thatch of dark brown hair. “Hello rascal.”

  He looked up at the woodfolk and sorcerers around him, “Right, so now that you have all completely assassinated my character, do you think you can come and see me next time I upset you instead of uniting against me?”

  They all assured him they would and every one of them made sure they slapped him on the back or patted him on the arm on their way past, as they headed up the last leg of the mountain.

  Chapter 56

  Three days later, five sorcerers and the woodfolk of the prince’s home guard were ranged along the top of a rocky ridge studying the panorama before them. The descent to the south was much steeper and consisted of a series of sheer drops interspersed with wide sloping ledges of grasslands or forest, rather like giant terracing. Beyond the base of the mountain, the forest gradually gave way to wide chequered plains of farmland, dotted with farm dwellings and from time to time, villages. In the far distance, almost on the horizon, slightly to their right, they could see the silhouette of a large walled city.

  “What is that place?” asked Rainstorm, shading his eyes against the glare.

  “That, my friends, is the mighty fortress town of Montraya,” said Danton. His eyes lit up, “Many a magnificent ball has been held there and we have had weeks of fun and entertainment in the castle and its grounds. The streets are lined with shops and market stalls of every kind. And because it is so close to the southern border, there are exotic wares from Farenz and other more distant lands. It is the seat of Prince Jarand, Tarkyn’s brother.”

  Rainstorm looked at the sorcerer quizzically, “Would I be right in thinking that holding a ball there is not the same as holding a ball here?” With that, he drew a small padded leather ball from his pocket, threw it up and caught it. “Or do they specialise in decorating balls?”

  Danton grinned, “You’re only half joking, aren’t you?”

  Rainstorm nodded and smiled back, quite happy to be made fun of, “Yep. I suspect I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  When Danton had finished waxing lyrical about balls, Rainstorm then asked, his ey
es shining with mischief, “And I presume Jarand’s seat is not an enormous chair?”

  Danton frowned, and asked with just a hint of disdain. “Surely you know what that means?” He was just about to launch into an explanation when he realised that Rainstorm was winding him up. He laughed, “Youdo know what that means.”

  “Yes, of course I do, but I have finally succeeded in getting you to betray some of your disdain. I love it,” chortled the young woodman. “Tarkyn said you could be disdainful but you’ve managed to hide it until now.”

  “I am not disdainful,” responded Danton hotly.

  “Huh. That’s what Tarkyn said about himself, too.”

  “Well, he is quite mistaken,” said Danton promptly, “He is often disdainful.”

  Rainstorm laughed, “No, not often. Just sometimes. But I must admit, you show it very rarely. I suspect it is because you are such a skilful courtier rather than because you don’tfeel disdainful.”

  Danton regarded him thoughtfully for a moment, “You are a perceptive character, aren’t you? Tarkyn said you were. And if you are aware that I have sometimes felt disdainful about you, are you offended by it? I would be.”

  The young woodman shook his head, smiling. “No. You have only felt like that because you are seeing our actions through your own values. If you can put up with our amusement at you, we can put up with your disdain. It’s just different ways of showing the same thing, after all.”

  Danton gave a wry smile, “Well, after this conversation, I will think twice before thinking of you with disdain in the future. I beg your pardon for underestimating you.”

  Rainstorm beamed, “That’s all right. I’m used to it. Everyone underestimates me… except Tarkyn.”

  Tarkyn, the two trappers, Summer Rain and Tree Wind walked past them, deep in discussion. Rainstorm nodded at their retreating figures and asked Danton, “Did you know that Falling Rain is Summer Rain’s brother? And Tree Wind was going to marry him, you know, before he was exiled.” He watched them moving further along the ridge. “I think Tarkyn should be consulting with Waterstone, Running Feet and Autumn Leaves too, if they are trying to work out where he’ll be. They all knew him pretty well.”