Nicholas Raven and the Wizards' Web (The Complete Epic Fantasy)

by Thomas J. Prestopnik

  “As the request comes from you, none that I can foresee. I’ll just add a few more workers to get everything completed on time,” she replied, happy to be of service. “Then maybe one day over lunch you can tell me what all this sartorial secrecy is about.”

  Nedry leaned forward and spoke softly. “I’m afraid, Miss Alb, that my job prevents me from disclosing certain details of ongoing operations, despite your valued assistance in such.” He stood and courteously bowed his head. “However, having lunch with delightful company is never forbidden. Day after tomorrow if you’re free?”

  “I look forward to it,” Miss Alb replied, blushing.

  “I’ll pick you up at noon,” he said before making his exit.

  Moments later, Nedry made his way through the Citadel corridors, awash with flickering torchlight and the crisp scent of autumn whenever he passed by an open window. But his mind was elsewhere as he contemplated the timing of Brendan and William’s excursion away from the Citadel and how their little adventure to relieve some chronic boredom might serve his own purposes.

  King Justin ordered breakfast brought to his study the following morning so he could eat while scrutinizing several maps of Rhiál and its vicinity before a later meeting with Prince Gregory and his captains. Nedry entered the room after knocking upon the door, apologizing for the interruption.

  “Not to worry, Nedry. What can I do for you?” the King asked as he sipped some sweet cider, looking up from his desk.

  “I won’t take much of your time, sir, but I was contemplating a minor change to Nicholas and Leo’s travel itinerary.”

  “Oh?”

  Nedry nodded. “As an added precaution, I thought it might be wiser if they instead left near the midnight hour the day before their planned departure at dawn. Let them cross the river in darkness and travel a few miles into the foothills of the Trent,” he suggested. “It will be a moonless sky at that hour, after which they can continue on the next morning at their leisure out of sight of curious eyes. Why draw attention to their departure if we don’t have to?”

  “That makes sense,” King Justin said, taking a bite out of a biscuit and glancing at the map in front of him, eager to plot out his journey to Rhiál. “Very well, Nedry. Apprise Nicholas and Leo of the change.” He pointed to his plate. “Biscuit? Cook gave me plenty extra this morning.”

  “Thank you, but I’ve already breakfasted,” he said as he ambled toward the door. Nedry turned around as if something had slipped his mind. “Oh, there is one other minor matter. I talked to Prince Brendan and Prince William yesterday, and needless to say, they are a bit on the restless side having to wait all this time before their return trip to Montavia. Possibly an entire month or more.”

  “I suppose sitting in on a few strategy sessions will only alleviate their anxiety so much.”

  “I’m afraid so. They were wondering if they might take a few days to explore the countryside, with your permission. I got the impression they were feeling cooped up like chickens in a pen.”

  King Justin laughed over his map. “I should say so at their age. Last thing they probably want to do is listen to a bunch of old men prattle on while their country is under siege. They’re eager to confront Caldurian now. I suppose roaming the hills and fields will help them cope in the meantime and build their confidence.” The King swished his hand through the air in the affirmative. “They escaped and traveled here from Montavia with little difficulty, so by all means, fix them up with supplies and horses and let them at it.”

  “I shall do that,” Nedry said. “They’ll probably leave the morning after tomorrow, wanting to spend some additional time first with Prince Gregory to discuss the ride to Montavia. I think they’ll stick to the southern routes along the Pine River, so no chance of them getting lost or in danger.”

  “All the better,” King Justin replied, hunched over his maps as he ferociously studied them. “All right then. See to it.”

  “Excellent,” Nedry softly said, preparing to slip out the door. “As you wish.”

  Nicholas and Leo were informed of the change to their departure time after Nedry spotted them walking across an interior courtyard after enduring three hours of instruction in sword fighting. After lunch, they planned a session of rock climbing upon a stone outcropping farther up the river with some of the King’s guardsmen.

  “I’ll be glad to leave earlier,” Nicholas said, massaging an aching shoulder. “It’ll be more relaxing than what we’re going through now.”

  Leo and Nicholas remained in the Citadel the next day to go over their route one final time with Tolapari. Afterward, Nicholas enjoyed a long nap while Leo walked with Megan through the fruit orchard under a fleet of wispy clouds tipped by the sun’s golden light.

  “I’ll miss you, Leo,” she said, her hand in his as they wandered along a trail of decaying leaves. “Return quickly–and safely–from wherever it is you’re going.”

  “I wish I could tell you, Megan, but I’m not allowed.”

  “I understand,” she replied, stopping to kiss him while she clasped his hands.

  Leo was lost in the warm touch of her lips, wishing that he didn’t have to go. Suddenly he looked up at the Blue Citadel in the near distance. “Maybe we shouldn’t…”

  “What’s the matter, Leo?” she asked, noting his gaze fixed upon the granite fortress. She grinned, understanding his sudden discretion. “I know what you’re thinking.”

  “You do?”

  “You’re afraid my father or grandfather is right now peering out one of the Citadel windows and monitoring your every move.”

  “It had crossed my mind.”

  “Don’t worry. They’re not,” she said. “However, we aren’t alone.”

  Leo looked around. “What do you mean?”

  Megan pointed out a man riding a horse in a pasture near the tree line along the river. A second man was hiking through a field across the orchard road in the opposite direction. “Grandfather assigned a few men to keep an eye on me from a distance in light of recent events. I’ve consented not to argue the point this time.”

  Leo swallowed nervously. “Are they going to report back everything they see?”

  “Of course not! They aren’t spies, Leo. They’re protectors. There are even a few other men watching Jagga near the river,” she said. “They’ll do a bit of spying on the Enâri creature to be on the safe side. Carmella said she’ll spend time here as long as the weather holds out since Tolapari has agreed to give her a few magic lessons in his spare hours. Jagga’s moves will be closely watched while they remain on the grounds.”

  “I feel in good company, being watched just like an Enâr,” he joked.

  “I’m the one being watched. You just happen to be in the line of sight, Leo. So don’t feel too put upon.”

  He sighed. “I’d feel less anxious if your father and King Justin knew about us. We never told them about our friendship.”

  “No, we didn’t,” Megan replied. “But I did.”

  Leo’s eyes widened in panic. “You did? When?”

  “Yesterday, while you and Nicholas were playing swordsmen. But don’t worry,” she assured him, taking his hand as they walked again. “My father and the King both suspected that we had affections for one another. They’re not blind, after all.”

  “And neither had any objection?”

  “You’re not locked in a prison cell, are you?”

  “Not yet,” he said with a nervous grin. “But I suppose there’s still time.”

  Megan burst out laughing. “You are endearing when you agonize so, Leo. But didn’t I tell you there was nothing to worry about? We may be of royal blood, but we’re still regular people. Besides, since you’re soon to be leaving, I suspect Father and Grandfather decided not to make an issue of our relationship. What their attitude will be when you return though, I cannot say. But I believe they have no qualms at the moment.”

  Leo sighed. “Still, how am I going to face them next time now that I know you talke
d about us?” He shot a fearful glance at Megan. “You don’t suppose–?”

  “Suppose what?”

  “That King Justin is sending me on this mission just to get rid of me?” Megan rolled her eyes. “It’s a possibility.”

  “Are you sure you didn’t fall and bump your head when you climbed those rocks, Leo Marsh?” Megan giggled, playfully taking his arm in hers. “Let’s go inside and I’ll fix you a cup of tea to quiet your wild imagination. Can’t have you running off to save the kingdom all bothered and such,” she said as the Citadel shimmered in subtle shades of blue in the stabs of autumn sunlight.

  A thick fog lay upon the river the following morning, rolling over the fields behind the Citadel with catlike stealth. But a few hours after the sun’s ascension, the swirling white mist dissolved. Soon the capital was alive again with autumn’s cool embrace under a clear blue sky. Inside, Nicholas and Leo made final preparations for their journey later that night, packing up the extra clothes that Nedry had provided and reviewing their map.

  They enjoyed a last lunch with Megan and Carmella in a private dining room, feeling as if they were about to leave and never return. Megan and Leo noted a vague sadness in each other’s eyes, both wishing they had just one more day to spend together. Nicholas then raised a cup to his friends, wondering when or if they would ever be together again.

  Shortly before midnight, Nedry escorted Nicholas and Leo through the Citadel and out a minor back gate, not speaking a word to the guards at their post. An hour earlier, they had said their last goodbyes to Megan, King Justin, Prince Gregory and Tolapari, at which point they were given possession of the medallion. Nicholas agreed to carry it, slipping the leather cord over his neck and concealing the object beneath his shirt. Now, bundled in long wool overcoats, the two travelers followed Nedry across the fields beneath a starry black sky to an area beyond the stables and lodge houses. Much farther to their right, neither could see any bonfire near the area where Carmella and Jagga had set up camp, assuming they were asleep for the night.

  “Here we are,” Nedry whispered, greeted by the gentle snorting of a pair of horses in the cool night air. “The animals have already been laden with your food, clothing, supplies and weaponry, so you are all set to go. Your own horses, Leo, will be cared for in your absence.”

  “Thanks, but those are my father’s horses,” he replied, “which he’ll be anxious to get back one of these days. I mentioned they were holding up nicely in the short post I wrote yesterday telling them of my delay. My brother will be less than thrilled about the extra chores he’ll inherit. I thanked him in advance in my letter,” he joked.

  “This is quite a jump from selling apples or keeping track of flour sales, isn’t it?” Nicholas said, wondering where the next few days would take them.

  “Then I suggest that you both keep your eyes to the road and your wits about you. A lot of people are depending on your success,” Nedry reminded them.

  “We’ll try not to disappoint,” Leo said as he climbed on his horse, anxious to start their journey. Nicholas did likewise, taking one last glance at the few remaining lights burning inside the Citadel.

  “Follow the river to the second bridge and cross there,” Nedry advised. “It’s only a few miles away. Then find a place to spend the night in the foothills. You can begin your true journey in the morning. Good luck to you both.”

  “Thanks, Nedry,” Nicholas replied. He and Leo nodded a brief goodbye before disappearing into the night.

  Nedry watched as darkness devoured the two travelers before returning to the Citadel to finish some work that was piling up. He still had much to do before seeing off his next two travelers the following morning.

  Nedry sat hunched over his desk after midnight, finishing a few correspondences. He scribbled upon a sheet of parchment with a quill pen he repeatedly dipped in an ink bottle. When he completed the last note, he carefully folded the parchment twice and slipped it into an envelope before lighting a blue stick of sealing wax. He allowed several drops to fall upon the back flap to fasten it shut. He then affixed the official impression of his office into the wax with a metal seal and sat back in his chair, satisfied that his work for the day was finally finished.

  He sighed as a bone-deep weariness crept over him. He gazed out a round window beyond the desk into the inky darkness, too exhausted to move. Candlelight reflected off the window pane and Nedry stared at the hypnotic flickering, his eyelids growing heavy. Two tiny images of the burning candle also appeared lower in the window and close together, from time to time disappearing for an instant before returning. He amusedly watched what he assumed was a trick of his imagination before rousing himself awake, determined to retire to his room for the night. But as he was about to blow out the desk candle, he again noted the two tiny reflections low in the window pane. He studied them for a moment before realizing that they hadn’t been conjured up by his imagination. The reflections originated on the outside of the glass.

  Nedry dashed toward the window, but before he had a chance to throw it open, the tiny pair of reflections disappeared in a swirl of blackness. He unlocked the pane and hastily swung it open, spotting a fleeting ebony shadow and hearing the distinct flutter of wings. He knew that the crow he had noticed earlier in the day had been perched on the ledge, the candle flame reflected in its eyes. His deepest suspicions had been confirmed. A spy of the air had been in their midst and Nedry felt vindicated that he had sent Nicholas and Leo away under the cover of darkness. He hoped his next move tomorrow morning would doubly ensure their safety.

  Brendan and William hadn’t expected to see Nedry as they finished an early breakfast in the nearly empty dining hall overlooking the fruit orchards. The King’s advisor sat down with them, wishing the boys well on their excursion.

  “We had said our goodbyes yesterday and planned to slip out at the crack of dawn,” Brendan explained. “We didn’t want anyone to bother with us another moment as we’ve imposed on the goodwill of the Blue Citadel quite enough.”

  “Nonsense,” Nedry said. “It’s an honor to accommodate the grandsons of King Rowan in any way we can. I figured I would accompany you to the stables and send you off. Besides, I’d like to double check that all the supplies I ordered for you have been loaded onto your horses.” He noticed that Brendan and William each had a long wool overcoat draped on the backs of their chairs identical to the ones sewn for Nicholas and Leo. “The royal seamstresses did a fine job on those coats. They’ll come in handy as the weather turns.”

  “Indeed. So thank you again for all your help,” William said, finishing up a biscuit with his tea, his eyes filled with the zeal of youth and the prospect of a new and exciting day to explore.

  A short time later, Nedry escorted the two princes to the stables under a slowly awakening pale blue sky. Brendan and William climbed on their horses, eager to start their journey south. Nedry walked with them along the road past the Citadel storage cellars until they reached the front cobblestone courtyard and gardens, the clip clop of horse hooves echoing off the stone walls. The King’s advisor waved to the two brothers as they continued on alone through the front gates, wishing them well on their journey as they disappeared from his sight.

  Nedry walked away from the archway at the main entrance, waving good morning to the guards on duty as he made his way back to the Citadel. He sat on a small bench beneath a tree near a row of hedges along the front, already tired as if he had been awake for hours. He leaned back and gazed up at the sky, waiting for a sign he hoped might not reveal itself. But less than a minute later, a faint shadow drifted across the courtyard as a large crow abandoned its lofty perch near the top of the Citadel and landed upon a stone post near the front iron gates. The sleek black bird craned its head this way and that before taking flight again, riding high upon the autumn currents while keeping its curious eyes fixed upon the two riders who had just departed the courtyard.

  Nedry’s heart fluttered and his body felt cold when he witnessed the sigh
t, wondering if he had overstepped his authority by manufacturing this diversion. Though he tried to convince himself that everything would turn out fine since Brendan and William would only be gone for a handful of days, he already regretted that he had manipulated the start of their journey for his own purposes. But if a bit of trickery provided Nicholas and Leo some added protection on their mission, it would be well worth it. He stood to return to work, not yet prepared to divulge the details of his maneuver to King Justin. And as there was nothing to do now to affect the outcome, he decided to let events unfold as they may and await the results, hoping his good intentions would pay off.

  CHAPTER 32

  Silent Pursuit

  Brendan and William traveled leisurely along King’s Road for an hour, bundled in wool coats and with hoods draped over their heads, their white wisps of breath rising in the chilly morning air. In time they passed through a community of farmhouses and small shops slowly awakening beneath a lemon yellow sun. Here a narrow road broke off from the main thoroughfare, heading southeast through a terrain of lush, low hills, vigorous streams and fertile farms. From what Brendan recalled while studying maps in the Citadel library, he estimated that they’d have to traverse a twenty mile stretch before linking up with the southern portion of River Road in Bridgewater County which extended for miles beyond Arrondale’s border.

  “If we follow the Pine River at that point, it’ll take us to the north end of Lake Lasko near the Red Mountains,” he told his brother, his sea blue eyes shaded from the morning light by the rim of his hood. “It’s a huge lake. An impressive sight, I’m sure.”

  “After several days of riding, that’ll be a good place to camp out for a while before turning back,” William said, inhaling the sweet scent of decaying leaves and wood smoke that spiraled up from chimneys on distant rooftops. “I’m glad you asked for permission to leave, or I would have done it myself. I needed to get away from the Citadel. I’d have gone mad wandering the corridors and thinking about Mother and Grandfather all alone in Red Lodge.”