by K.N. Lee
The slender man looked none the worse for his disappearance. His smooth cheeks and strong straight nose looked as cheerful as ever and his smile was back in full display. He eyed her with interest. “So it’s true? You are Keegan’s daughter?”
“We missed you in Perm.” Tom lowered his sword. “Where did you disappear?”
“Friends took me for a meal and talk. By the time I heard horsemen were in the city, the story had circulated you were Keegan’s offspring. I didn’t know what to think. I am vocal about my support of my king and my disapproval of magic. Yet, I considered you friends. So I chose not to do anything. I hope you understand Mistress Anna, Missus Gilly?”
“Will you turn us in now?” Gilly asked.
“Of course he won’t,” Anna said. “You heard him, he called us his friends.”
“Indeed,” Cullen said. “Also since returning, I have been disturbed by the blackness above the castle. During the day, Tamarisk raises the darkness so travelers may enter the premises. Quite a sight walking toward the walls with that thing hovering like a deadly thundercloud. At night, as a defense, he lowers it.” He looked at them with curiosity. “How did you get past?”
“We had help,” Anna said.
“No time for that now,” Gilly said, hoping to waylay her sister before she revealed all their secrets. “If you’re not going to turn us in, will you help?”
Cullen stepped back and held up his hands. “Whatever you have come to accomplish, don’t involve me. In return I will pretend I never saw any of you.”
“That we can do,” Tom said and put away his sword.
They checked the stairway and were about to ascend, when Cullen asked, “What is it you are looking for? Perhaps I’ve seen what you seek.”
“Our mother,” Anna said, before Gilly could stop her.
“Princess Mamosia is here?” Cullen asked in surprise and avid interest. “Now that, I had not heard. Horsemen have been seeking her and her children far and wide. If only they knew to look closer to home. I am sorry, Mistress Anna. I have not seen the princess. But the servants from the upper eastern section have reported strange goings on. I took the liberty of asking the king about it and he warned me not to question it. That area is Tamarisk’s domain.”
Cullen was on close terms with King Ywen? Enough to question him? Gilly’s unease tripled and she would have left but Anna and Tom wanted Cullen to tell them the direction to the section of the castle Tamarisk occupied.
Cullen looked up the stairs. “It is difficult to direct you from here.” He looked over his shoulder as if expecting Tamarisk to pop out of the shadows and strike him. “I could take you part way, I suppose.”
“Any help you can provide, we will gratefully accept,” Anna said with relief.
With a nod, Cullen led the way. Gilly lagged until she was at the rear. She cast no spells. There was no need. Cullen, being a regular visitor in the castle, was not questioned when they travelled with him. That was something else that worried her. All was not well with this picture but she could not put her finger on what was wrong.
She sensed danger around each corner and inside every doorway. They were probably walking into a trap but there was no way out. If her family was held up here, they had to find them. Tonight. She too had laid a trap for Tamarisk. Time to spring it.
They moved up many stairs before Cullen stopped and pointed toward a darkly lit area. “The sorcerer lives down that corridor.”
“Thank you,” Anna said.
“Yes, thanks,” Tom said. “We can take it from here. Best you return to your quarters.”
Cullen hesitated. “After coming this far, I’m curious to see if your mother is indeed at Castle Tibor. It would be quite the tale for a minstrel. I would have first telling of it. I’ll come a little further. After you Missus Gilly.”
“I prefer to take up the rear,” Gilly said. “Stay between Tom and me, and if trouble starts, keep out of the way.”
“You have changed,” he said, giving her a backward glance as he moved forward. “I recall a young lady who once hid behind bushes and refused to face a stranger in the night. In my line of work, I’ve told many a tale of Princess Mamosia. The tales say she was courageous. If so, you have her spirit.”
Despite his curiosity, he was probably frightened of Tamarisk and his magic. People often hated that which they feared most. But then she too was frightened of Tamarisk. The man was evil, no other description fit the deeds he’d done to his victims in the dungeons. Cullen had reason to be afraid.
“Move along,” Gilly said.
Once they reached the upper floor, they proceeded without interruption. This worried Gilly. It was a definite sign they were in Tamarisk’s territory. The feelings she picked up along this corridor were alarming.
On one side, the wall housed closed doors. On the other, a balcony railing looked straight down to the ground floor, some five stories below. She peeked over and her head spun. Never good with heights, this place frightened Gilly like none other.
“Long way down.” Cullen leaned over beside her.
“Careful.” She pulled him back. “You might fall.”
He gave her an ingratiating smile. “Thank you. So considerate.” Concern replaced his gratitude. “Missus Gilly, you look pale, is something troubling you?” He glanced to the floor far below. “Are you afraid of heights, by chance?”
“Keep moving.” Tom said. He and Anna had stopped ahead and waited for them.
Gilly backed up to the wall, her legs trembling.
Tom hurried back to Gilly’s side. “I’ve been here before too. Saira, you’re remembering this spot.”
“Why, how obtuse of me,” Cullen said. “Of course, these quarters used to belong to Keegan. This must be where you…” he stopped talking and just mimicked with his arm rising up and dropping over the railing.
“Enough, Cullen,” Tom said.
Gilly plastered herself against the wall.
“I’m so sorry, Missus Gilly,” Cullen said. “It’s still hard to believe you are Keegan’s special girl. You don’t look the least bit royal in that common dress with the ragged hem. Perhaps that’s why I didn’t make the connection right away.”
Anna hurried over and put her arm around Gilly. “We don’t need to talk about this. Where is the room you’re leading us to? The one belonging to Tamarisk?”
“That one.” Cullen pointed. “I heard Ywen gave this suite of rooms to Tamarisk after Keegan’s death as a reward for his friend’s role in injuring one of Mamosia’s spawn. Excuse me, Missus Gilly, I meant one of her children. Oh, dear, it’s so hard to forget a lifetime of teaching.”
Tom reached for the handle and pushed the door open.
“Well?” Anna asked. “What’s in there?”
He turned back, his face ashen and opened the door wider so the women could look inside.
Chapter 17
Gilly couldn’t take her eyes away from the three still figures crouched in a corner of the room.
Oh, Mam, Gilly’s heart cried. Thank the Light you are alive. And Tamara. And Garren.
Beside her, Anna sucked in her breath.
Gilly took her hand so they could enter together.
“Wait,” Cullen said.
In a daze, she barely heard him. Only his steel grip on her upper arm stopped her.
“What now?” Tom asked.
“Shouldn’t one of us stay out here to keep a lookout for Tamarisk?” the minstrel asked. “We wouldn’t want to be surprised while we were rescuing the royal princess.”
“Good thinking,” Anna said. “One of us should stay out here. I…I guess I can. My mother doesn’t know me.”
“No,” Gilly said. “Mam would want to know you’re safe.”
“You’re not going in there without me,” Tom said.
Gilly took another look into the room, willing herself to think clearly. This was no time to be overcome by emotion. Something was wrong with her mam. Her family were caught in some sort of spell.
“I might need Anna’s help to release them.” She turned to Cullen. “Will you stand watch?”
“I’d be honored. Problem is, although I’ve visited the castle often, I’ve never met Tamarisk. I’ve no idea what he looks like. Do you?”
She shook her head.
Tom shifted and she turned to him.
He nodded. “I know what he looks like. But I’m not letting you go in there alone.”
“They won’t be alone,” Cullen said. “I’ll go with them. Will you give me your sword?”
Tom hesitated and then gave him his dagger instead. “I doubt you know how to wield a sword with efficiency but this may come in handy.” He turned to Gilly and drew her to him. “I’ll be right outside. Call me if trouble erupts. Promise?”
“Yes.” She pressed her face close to his heart, suddenly not wanting to leave him. He held her in a fierce hug, as if he too worried they may not have another chance to hold each other. At Anna’s pleading look, she reluctantly let go of Tom and entered the chamber. Cullen shut the door behind them.
Her mother, brother and sister stood poised, as if ready for an attack. Mam still wore the dress with flour dust on her apron from working bread dough. Tamara, skirts falling to just below her knee, hair in a scarf, carried a jug of water in her arms and a pack of food on her back. Five-year old Garren in short pants and a tunic, his father’s heavy sword raised part way, stood protectively before his mother and sister.
Gilly approached slowly, circling the three figures, noting the fear clearly written on their faces. She couldn’t believe she’d found Mam. Her heart beat rapidly and the happiness that threatened to overwhelm her skimmed close to the surface.
A glow surrounded them, like the radiance that appeared when she cast a spell, only dimmer. In fact, the Light seemed faded in places as if someone had made inroads into it.
“Remarkable, isn’t she?” Cullen asked, as if in a daze.
“She never grew old,” Anna said, speaking the words that eluded Gilly.
Her sister was right. Whatever spell held these three in place, had frozen them within time itself. Garren and Tamara were still children. And Mam, well, she was as young as she had been when Gilly left her in the cottage. In her early thirties. The same age Gilly was now.
“We must act,” Anna said. “Tamarisk could return at any moment.”
“The longer we linger,” Cullen said, “the more chance we will be interrupted. Do you know how to release your mother?” He reached up as if to stroke Mam’s cheek and then withdrew his hand before it connected.
“Check the other room,” Gilly said, “while we work.”
Cullen nodded and headed off.
She waited until the door closed and held out her left hand for Anna’s. “I don’t trust Cullen. If we’re to do this, let’s do it now and get them out of here.”
The minute Anna’s hand touched her palm, heat soared into Gilly’s body. The shimmer around the three captives drew her focus and Anna followed suit. Light erupted, swirling until it enveloped the figures. Gilly inched closer until she melded with the wavering glow.
The swell of power almost carried her off her feet and a forgotten sweetness enveloped her. This spell’s complexity and strength was amazing.
Mam had cast this spell herself, Gilly was certain of it. The pattern of the spell was clear. This was meant to hold these three safe. If Mam was capable of such incredible weaving of Light, why had she been afraid of Tamarisk? Surely someone so powerful could defeat a man who stole his power from others? No time to speculate. She dismantled the spell, one layer at a time, until it collapsed entirely and the three captives took a collective breath.
Her mother raised her hand.
She’s going to attack. “Wait, Mam!” Gilly said. “It’s me, Saira.”
Her mother paused, hand half raised and stared at Gilly as if unbelieving. She shook her head. “This is a trick.”
“No. I swear, it’s me, Mam. Don’t you know me? I watched out for all of you at Lookout Point. I tried to warn you about the horsemen coming, but I was too late.” She knelt by her mother’s skirts and clutched at the material, tears streaming down her face. “I’m sorry I didn’t get to you sooner. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. I couldn’t run any faster. I tried. I really tried.”
Her brother and sister peered at them from behind Mam’s skirts.
“My Saira?” Mam asked, looking confused.
Gilly nodded, thankful her mother recognized her after all these years. She wiped at her wet face and tried to explain. “After I took Anna to the cave, I wanted to come back, but I was afraid to leave her alone. If I returned, the horsemen might take me and then what would happen to Anna? She was a baby. If I brought her with me, we might both get caught. I wasn’t a match for anyone with this leg.” She bent her head and sobs shook her body at the remembered horror of her decision to leave her family to fend for themselves. “I should have come back to find you. I should have come for you, Mam.”
“No, you shouldn’t!” Anna placed her hand on Gilly’s shoulder, a bracing touch that shoved a ramrod down Gilly spine, straightening her shoulders. Her sister looked furious as she glared at their mother. A mother she didn’t remember holding her, rocking her to sleep.
All to defend me?
“She did the right thing.” Anna waved a negligent hand at her estranged family. “You’d cast this fine spell to protect yourself and your children. You couldn’t have helped her. She would have been killed if she returned or captured like you. Perhaps me too. Then I would not have met Marton. Or had his wonderful children. I don’t care if you think I’m selfish for being glad I’m alive, or for living the life I did in Nadym, but I am. Gilly saved me, took care of me and watched over me for years.”
“Years?” Mam said. “And who is Gilly?”
Gilly hurriedly stood. “I’m Gilly. And this is your baby, Anna. You’re in the castle at Tibor. You were captured and kept here for twenty years.”
“Twenty three to be exact,” a man said
Gilly started in surprise at that familiar voice. A man she knew, yet didn’t know, watched them from the inner doorway, a fond smile curling his lips.
“Tamarisk,” Mam said and Gilly’s pulse leaped with dread.
Anna gasped and backed up next to their mother.
Before Gilly could react, a black lance leaped off the floor and flew toward them, surrounding her and her family. Binding them in place. Pain coursed through her middle where it touched her and she recognized it as the same vile material One-Eye used. Her hopes of rescuing her mother shattered.
“Thank you, my dear.” Tamarisk moved further into the room. He looked older than Cullen and his voice was raspier. His balding dark hair had receded since the last time she saw him but his hooked nose still overshadowed his thin lips.
Bevan had been right. His smile did not reach his eyes.
“I’ve been trying to crack your mother’s spell these many years,” he said, “and in a few heartbeats you undid it. I sensed you could. That’s why I didn’t kill you in Erov. Though I was tempted a time or two.”
His tone at once complimented and tormented her. By untangling her mother’s time spell, she’d made Mam vulnerable to this horrible man’s power.
“What a clever child you’ve grown up to be, Lady Saira-Gilly. Good thing that fall didn’t kill you, I suppose.”
“Damn good thing,” a second gravelly voice said. A bent old man came out of the back room. His shoulders looked as if they had been broken and mended in an unhinged fashion. His neck was stretched unnaturally to the side and his legs and hands were atrophied. He was clutching Tom’s dagger.
“Come in, Ywen,” Tamarisk said. “Come wish your family well.”
“Watch your tongue, Tam. I’m still your king and I’ll thank you to show proper respect.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” Tamarisk bowed low.
King Ywen pushed the sorcerer aside and approached his family.
“’Bout time you woke up,” he said to Mamosia. “Held us off a long while, you did, royal sister. As you can see, I have not fared well in the interim years.”
“Your deeds reflect your image, Ywen,” Mamosia said. “What you did to your brother and father was an abomination against nature and nature has bestowed its judgment on you.”
“It was the magic that cursed me thus,” Ywen said. “But I intend to have the last laugh.” He turned to Gilly. “Did you notice how it transformed Tamarisk, niece? Made him look handsome? It is going to do the same and more for me once I have all the family’s power.”
The idea of what Tamarisk had done to twist Light to his own use was difficult enough to stomach, but Gilly was unwilling to consider what this bitter old man would do with such power. She would die before letting Ywen abuse the Light so. With all her might she reached to throttle her uncle. All her effort ended in vain. She couldn’t move a muscle.
“Tom,” she shouted, “Cullen is Tamarisk, go for help.”
The door handle wriggled but refused to open.
“We wouldn’t want the boy disturbing our little party, would we?” Tamarisk asked. “Shout all you want, little Saira, all it will do is alert my guards to take our brave Tom to the dungeon.”
She instantly regretted calling out. If she’d stayed silent, Cullen might have forgotten about Tom. No, Cullen, Tamarisk, whoever he was, wasn’t the forgetting type. No doubt he had plans for Tom and her warning might have saved Tom’s life. If he ran to find Talus, there might be a chance some of them could get out of this alive.
Tamarisk circled them. Why could she not break this binding, when with a touch she could see how to tear apart the black cloud? She concentrated on the cord, trying to find its weakness. She sent a pulse of Light to explore its composition and arrows of pain stabbed her head. She almost lost consciousness.
“It is useless to fight it,” Tamarisk said. “The more you do, the weaker you will become. This is a toy Ywen gave me years ago. As a boy with no powers, he haunted the docks, eagerly seeking items shipped in that could interfere with the use of Light. A reel of this cord was brought to our shores from a foreign land. Been very useful to me ever since. Your uncle is an enterprising man.” Tamarisk reached under the wire and pulled her brother free, easily knocking the sword out of his hands.