“I suppose.”
“And even if there’s a chance of rescuing Ivy–and I have no idea where to begin–I know it’s not going to be accomplished by sitting here on this miserable beach.”
Nicholas took a deep breath. He knew Leo was right but hoped for a miracle anyway. He wished he had had more time to know Ivy and talk with her, smiling as he remembered giving her the scarf he had purchased in Boros. But deep in his heart he knew the two of them wouldn’t be enjoying moments like that again any time soon, if ever. He closed his eyes, letting the snapping flames lull him to the verge of fitful slumber.
They awoke at midmorning after several needed hours of uninterrupted sleep. After a brief breakfast under bright sunshine, they hitched up a pair of horses to the cart and tethered the other pair to the back and began the return trip to Boros. With the food supplies that had been left behind in the cart, they didn’t have to worry about stretching out the remaining rations Castella had provided. Nicholas spotted a sack of apples and grabbed two, tossing one to Leo.
“Just like old times,” he said, recalling their trip north up Orchard Road with Princess Megan. “You must miss her.”
“Even more so now after all that’s happened,” he replied as he guided the horses across the stony terrain. “Megan’s going to be very upset. She never cared for the idea of trading identities with Ivy and will probably blame herself.”
“Ivy wanted to do it to protect her.” Nicholas watched as the stalks of tall grass monotonously passed by on his right, trying to convince himself that she had done the right thing. But maybe they had been foolish, fighting against forces they had no business dealing with. He reminded himself that the fight had been brought to them by the likes of Madeline and Mune, the man who tried to kidnap Megan at the Plum Orchard Inn, and Sims, whom they had paid off with Leo’s apple money. Nicholas even threw Dooley Kramer and Arthur Weeks into the mix, realizing that people sometimes had no choice but to act when others were aligned against you. That notion offered him cold comfort as the wagon rattled eastward across the windswept coastline.
The journey back took nearly four and a half days, about a day longer than the forward trip since Nicholas and Leo found themselves oversleeping on several occasions as they recovered from their injuries. A rainstorm during the second day of traveling added to the delay, but in time the grasslands thinned out. Their spirits lifted when they finally saw the western edge of Sage Bay in the distance. Soon they turned south for the village of Cavara Beach where they would pick up the main road leading to Boros. They were certain that Megan and Castella were both racked with anxiety at their delay.
As twilight descended and the first stars peered down from a crisp autumn sky, they passed through the sleepy village of Cavara Beach, the scent of wood smoke and the occasional bark of a dog carried upon a breeze. They traveled the rutty road, anxious to get back to Castella’s house and a warm meal. When they were about two miles from Boros, they heard the faint clip clop of hooves upon the road and saw a solitary figure on horseback approaching from the east, the nearly full rising Bear Moon plastered against the skyline behind it.
“Evening,” Leo said as the stranger advanced, the moonlight reflecting off his face. The young man on the horse quickly stopped, clutching the reins.
“Is that you, Leo? We’ve been looking all over for you.” He rode up close to the cart, curiously surveying the vehicle. An expression of disappointment suddenly crossed his face. “Isn’t Ivy with you? Is she in back?”
Leo recognized the man as Jonathan, one of Uncle Aubrey’s two sons. Leo had briefly met him when he had gone to Aubrey’s house with word about their plan to pay off Sims. He introduced him to Nicholas before explaining what had happened to his cousin. Jonathan bowed his head, stunned by the unfortunate news.
“I’m sorry,” Nicholas said. “We were so close, but…”
“I’m sorry too,” Jonathan muttered. “We had been taking turns patrolling these roads at times and searching out the area around Cavara Beach for any sign of you. We never imagined that you had gone so far west. My parents will be disappointed. Ivy’s parents will be devastated.”
“Let’s get home so we can tell them,” Leo said. “We’ll figure out what to do when there are more minds to consult. Right now Nicholas and I don’t know what to think.”
“Follow me,” Jonathan said as he turned his horse around and trotted back to Boros toward the rising moon.
When they arrived in the village, Nicholas and Leo instructed Jonathan to send word to his father about their return, promising to stop over as soon as possible. First they were eager to see Castella and Megan and let them know they were safe. As Leo guided the wagon up the winding street soon afterward, the sight of Castella’s house filled them with joy. Candles flickered in the downstairs windows and the wreath of dried goldenrod and corn husks still decorated the door. After Leo secured the wagon and horses in the shadows on the side of the house, they walked around front, almost reluctant to knock on the door and divulge the bad news. But before they had a chance, the door flew open with Megan standing there, silhouetted against the warm glow of firelight.
“I saw you through the side window,” she said excitedly, finding comfort when seeing the faces of her two protectors. When she noticed that Ivy wasn’t with them, her heart sank. The despondent looks upon Nicholas and Leo’s faces told her everything she needed to know.
“Is Ivy back?” a voice called from within the house. Castella peered over Megan’s shoulder a moment later, her spirit equally crushed soon after. “What happened?”
“We failed,” Nicholas said with a sudden moody edge to his voice as she quickly ushered everyone inside. When he noticed Ivy’s light brown cloak hanging from a wall peg that Megan had brought back from the candle shop, a brief surge of bitterness welled inside him. The plan to switch identities now seemed foolhardy and ill-conceived, and he chided himself for ever going along with it. “We made a terrible mistake. We should have gone to the local authorities for your protection,” he said, eyeing Megan as a stream of air escaped his tightly pressed lips. “Instead we just…”
Megan, sensing that Nicholas might be casting some of the blame upon her, held back an urge to lash out at him in his distressed state. “Tell us where Ivy is,” she calmly inquired. “Where have you two been all this time?”
“It’s a long story,” Leo said, reluctant to tell it since he knew Castella’s heart would break. But when he saw the pained expression already upon her face and noted her trembling hands, he already guessed that she expected the worst.
“Let’s go into the kitchen where it’s warmer,” she suggested. “You boys look like you could stand a bite to eat.” When Castella glanced at Nicholas, noting his sullen mood, her expression hardened. “And if you want to blame anyone, Nicholas, then blame Ivy and me. We were the ones who cooked up this scheme in the first place. So if you have something you want to say, now is the time.”
Nicholas, taken aback by her forthrightness, realized that he wasn’t the only one hurting by Ivy’s absence and regretted his cool demeanor since walking into the house. He shook his head, offering an apologetic smile. “No one is to blame, Castella, especially you. Just attribute my mood to being tired, sore and hungry.”
She nodded. “Well, I think I can do something about the latter,” she replied, signaling for them to follow her into the kitchen where she was soon serving tea and buttered biscuits at the table to help absorb the awful news she knew was forthcoming.
Nicholas and Leo took turns explaining their chase across the grasslands, expanding upon every detail whenever Megan or Castella insisted. When they mentioned that it was Megan’s old nursemaid, Madeline, who was behind the kidnapping, Megan shook her head but didn’t appear shocked at the news.
“I guess my grandfather was right,” she said. “Ghosts from the past still haunt us. But I never heard of that gentleman named Mune whom Ivy told you about. Just another scoundrel trying to live off the miser
y of others, no doubt.”
“But where would they have taken Ivy on that ship?” Castella asked, feeling as if she had lost her own daughter. “If they sail to the Northern Isles…” She looked at her guests, her face ashen. “How will we ever get her back?”
“Her captors still believe that Ivy is Princess Megan, so that ought to keep her safe,” Leo said. “At least I hope so.”
As Leo continued to speak, Nicholas looked wistfully at the hearth and relived his and Ivy’s short time together, missing her now more than ever. He didn’t want to imagine what hardships she might endure because of his failure to save her, wondering if she was sailing across the tumultuous waters of the Trillium Sea while believing she had been abandoned to a life of misery and imprisonment. Her predicament seemed massive and unconquerable compared to his own complications that had caused him to flee Kanesbury. He searched his heart for any possible way to save her.
“Megan, maybe your grandfather can help!” he blurted out, interrupting Leo in mid-sentence. Megan, Leo and Castella looked at him, sympathizing with his anguish. “Sorry, but my mind was wandering. I just…”
“I know what you’re thinking,” Megan calmly said. “And I intend to do just that. I don’t know what kind of assistance my grandfather can provide, but I’ll ask him to help us save Ivy when I return to Morrenwood. I can’t remain here another day while other people’s worlds are falling apart because of me. I’ll leave first thing in the morning.”
“We’ll leave first thing in the morning,” Leo said, gazing into her eyes. “I intend to go to the capital with you, like it or not. We’ll stop at my parents’ house first. I’m sure they’re worried sick.”
“Count me in,” Nicholas said, a tinge of hope filling his heart.
“I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way,” she replied. “I don’t know what I’d do without you two bumpkins at my side.”
“That settles it,” Castella said. “I’ll prepare some food for the return trip. It seems this adventure of yours is just getting started.”
Later that evening, Nicholas and Leo stopped at Aubrey and Nell’s house to explain what had happened. Ivy’s father, Frederick, was also there. He had been visiting from Laurel Corners when Jonathan arrived with the bad news about his daughter. Though devastated, Frederick decided that it was useless to tell the local authorities about the situation.
“They won’t be able to do anything,” he said. “Besides, if whoever has Ivy still believes she’s the princess, then that might be her best protection right now. Why risk word getting back to them, however improbable, that Ivy isn’t of the royal bloodline.”
When Nicholas explained that they would go to Morrenwood to request help from King Justin, the news cheered Ivy’s father. He was proud that his daughter had offered to help protect the King’s granddaughter, but he knew a perpetual black cloud of doubt and regret would follow him until he held her in his arms once again.
“It feels so discouraging,” he whispered. “But if the King can help find my daughter, I suppose I can hang on to that bit of hope.”
“Sometimes the tiniest bit of hope is all you need to go on,” Nell said. “Just like having one lit candle–and I know a thing or two about candles,” she said with an encouraging smile to her brother-in-law. “From a single burning candle you can light another one and then another one still, until…”
“It felt like we were stuck with nothing but wet wicks over the last few days,” Nicholas said with a hint of desperation. “How are you supposed to go on like that?”
Nell shrugged. “I didn’t say it would be easy, dear, but you have to find a way. Light the first candle–and perhaps your trip to Morrenwood will be just that–and then see if you can light another one with it.”
“We’ll try,” he said, giving a smile of encouragement to Ivy’s father.
Aubrey, though, offered one bit of good news when he tossed the pouch of fifty copper pieces on the table that he and his sons had retrieved from Sims.
“That scoundrel will think twice about plying his shady deeds in these parts again!” he said, pleased to return Leo’s apple money.
Though Megan had hoped to leave the following morning, a series of treacherous rainstorms rolled in at dawn, battering the region for two days and flooding some of the roads, making travel impossible. Castella, though, was happy for the company and Megan was grateful that Nicholas and Leo could fully rest and recover. They talked often around a warm fire as flashes of lightning ignited the skies and thunder reverberated across the bay, wondering how realistic a chance they had at finding Ivy, yet determined to try.
They remained with Castella for one more day after the skies cleared to allow the soaked lands to dry out. In the meantime, they helped her clean up the storm damage around the house. But when the following dawn broke sunny and cold, Nicholas, Leo and Megan finally made a sad and somber departure. They hugged Castella and promised to get word back to her as soon as possible. They left Boros in Leo’s apple wagon, leaving behind Madeline’s wagon and horses for her to keep or sell as she saw fit.
They headed south, and by early afternoon they neared the village of Plum Orchard. Megan insisted that they make a brief stop for lunch at their favorite inn. Leo had planned to anyway, and all were happy to greet Ron and Mabel Knott once again, conversing with them over a meal in the back dining room. The trio decided not to reveal Megan’s true identity to their friends, though it was more out of concern for Megan’s protection and for the safety of Ron, Mabel and their family rather than a lack of trust. Leo hoped one day he could reveal everything to them about the mysterious goings-on which occurred that one fateful night at their lovely establishment.
Several hours later just after sunset, Leo finally neared his parents’ farmhouse aglow with yellow light as a stream of wood smoke escaped from the chimney under a moonless sky. He brought the wagon to a halt near the huge willow tree silently standing guard in the murky twilight. He was happy to see the apple red barn and inhale the sweet smell of soil and decaying leaves lingering in the evening air. Leo held Megan’s hand and smiled, delighted to be back home but knowing it would only be for a short stay. There was still much hardship the trio had to face in the days ahead, with no one knowing where the long and tiring roads would finally lead them.
CHAPTER 29
The Medallion
Leo’s parents sat side by side near the fireplace, gazing wide-eyed at their son and his two friends who had just finished explaining the events of the past several days. Joe Marsh puffed on a pipe, letting trails of bluish-gray smoke rise lazily to the ceiling while his wife crossed her arms, allowing the surreal words to sink in. Henry, Leo’s younger brother, sat contentedly on the floor near the hearth eating a piece of apple pie, taking the fascinating narrative in stride.
“So you’re an actual princess? And right here in my house,” Annabelle calmly remarked, fidgeting with her dress sleeve while gazing at Megan. “I would have served something fancier than beef stew had I known.”
“And you’re really wanted for murder?” a fascinated Henry asked Nicholas as he downed another forkful of pie.
Nicholas grinned uneasily. “As I said before, Henry, I didn’t kill anybody. I was framed for the murder.”
“Still…” he replied, munching on his dessert.
When Leo announced that he and Nicholas would escort Megan to the capital and request the King’s help in rescuing Ivy, his parents fully supported their actions. After they learned about his and Nicholas’ trials along the coastline, they felt confident their son could manage a trip to Morrenwood, certain that King Justin’s soldiers would handle any dangerous matters regarding Ivy thereafter.
In the meantime, Leo and his friends stayed for three days on the Marsh farm, helping with some pre-winter chores. He also found time to give Megan a tour of the farm and apple orchard, regaling her with his plans for the future.
“No doubt it involves everything related to apples,” she said with a chuckle as s
he and Leo walked hand in hand through the frosted grass alongside the barn.
“And you too, I hope,” he said, stopping to look into her eyes as Megan returned his tender gaze. For the first time in the many days they had known each other, they were finally able to enjoy each other’s company alone. He thought she looked beautiful wrapped in the elegant folds of her cloak in the brisk autumn chill, though feeling as if it were a fine spring morning. “Would it be forward of me if I…”
“Not at all…” she whispered as she leaned forward to accept his kiss, both bathed in a splash of sunlight filtering through some nearby pines.
“It’s not every day that I’m allowed to kiss a princess,” Leo remarked with an affectionate smile.
“And it’s not every day that I allow it,” Megan replied, returning a mischievous grin. “But fortunately for you, my father and grandfather aren’t around. They would have thrown you in a dungeon for sure!” She laughed, leading Leo by the hand toward the large willow tree near the front of the house.
“I’ll behave myself in Morrenwood,” he said as he happily followed Megan wherever she wished to go. “I’d never forgive myself if I got kicked out of the Blue Citadel on my first visit!”
The trip to the capital commenced on a clear morning under sapphire blue skies. Leo didn’t know when he would return and promised to send his parents a post to keep them updated. After an exchange of many hugs and goodbyes, Nicholas, Megan and Leo traveled south down the last stretch of Orchard Road in an apple-less cart, the surrounding trees still ablaze in spots with autumn’s fiery colors. When they reached River Road and turned west, Nicholas recalled when he and Megan had stood at that very spot on the second day after they had first met. It was here he had agreed to accompany her to Boros to avoid going back to Kanesbury and face his troubles. He glanced at Megan and they smiled, both recalling the conversation.
Nicholas Raven and the Wizards' Web (The Complete Epic Fantasy) Page 44