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

by Thomas J. Prestopnik

  CHAPTER 47

  A Shift in Power

  Katherine spotted her mother and Amanda Stewart outdoors after the raucous meeting in the village hall had concluded. People poured out the front doors into the cold evening air and the warm glow of torchlight and oil lamps. The crescent Fox Moon shimmered behind a veil of clouds in the west. Katherine promised her mother that they would visit the lockup first thing in the morning and demand to see Otto.

  “I’ll go with you,” Amanda insisted, indignant at the way Otto had been treated during the wizard’s shameful spectacle. “We shall take Oscar and Maynard with us if necessary. Most may have turned against your brother and uncle, but we certainly won’t!”

  “Thank you,” Sophia replied, deeply touched as she wiped away a tear. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

  “Me either,” Katherine said. “But don’t worry, Mother. We won’t abandon Uncle Otto,” she promised, hugging her tightly. “There must be a logical explanation why he fled the village before all this trouble erupted. There must be.”

  Soon after, Katherine bid goodbye to the women, deciding to wait awhile and speak with Lewis before returning home. She stood in the lonely, crowded street, imagining Otto languishing behind a locked door and feeling very much a prisoner herself.

  “Sorry to hear the bad news about your uncle,” said a voice in the shadows. Katherine spun around, surprised to see Dooley Kramer walking toward her, his hands shoved in his coat pockets to keep them warm. His mop of dirty blond hair sprouted out from beneath the floppy brim of a brown hat. “I suspect it’s just as difficult for you and your mother to bear this terrible hardship as it is for Otto.”

  “It certainly is,” Katherine replied, appearing appreciative of Dooley’s remark while at the same time detesting him. All she could think about was the information Paraquin had provided her regarding Dooley and Zachary Farnsworth’s ability to leave the village in the dead of night. She wondered what kind of deal they had struck with Caldurian and who in the process had been harmed.

  “If there’s anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to ask,” he added with a pleasant smile, hoping to win her respect and perhaps a modicum of affection as well. “At times like these, the village needs to pull together to help one another, don’t you think?”

  Katherine nodded, her face softening as she put on an air of graciousness. Though she desired to lash out at Dooley for consorting with the enemy, she wondered if she could use this moment to her advantage. Would it be wise to confront him now about his hand in Nicholas Raven’s troubles? She knew that that might cause an emotional stir on his part, and the subsequent reaction on Dooley’s face might confirm his guilt. She also wondered if she should casually drop Adelaide’s name into the conversation in an attempt to worm some details about his possible involvement in her disappearance.

  But Katherine decided not to tread those dangerous waters just yet, fearing that accusing him without proof might push Dooley away at a time when she desperately needed information. Keeping him and Farnsworth ignorant that she was on to them might serve her best for now. The wisest course of action would be to play the spy, hoping to catch them off guard. Perhaps Paraquin would discover more information in the meantime.

  “Thank you for sharing your concern, Dooley. I appreciate it, especially on an awful night like this,” she said. “Caldurian turned this village upside down, hasn’t he?”

  “He’s a villain of the first order,” Dooley remarked. “Why, he’s got me on one of the leaf burning details on the east end of town, though I suppose it’s better than chopping wood or emptying root cellars.”

  “It seems neither of us has a glamorous job. I’m serving meals to the Island soldiers–and what appetites they have!” she joked, putting Dooley at ease. “What task has your neighbor, Mr. Farnsworth, been forced to do? Cleaning out horse stalls?”

  Dooley laughed. “As a matter of fact, he still works at his current job in the banking house. Apparently the wizard realizes that some businesses in the village have to continue running properly amid the chaos.”

  “How fortunate for him,” she replied. “I hear that Mr. Farnsworth is a fine worker, so that’s a benefit for all of Kanesbury. Horace Ulm must be proud to have hired such a dedicated and outstanding citizen.”

  “Outstanding indeed,” Dooley said, clearing his throat in the dry air, for a moment unable to look Katherine in the eyes. “Well, I suppose I must be going before the Islanders shoo us all home. Just wanted to offer my good wishes, Miss Katherine.”

  “Thank you again, Dooley.”

  “Uh, might I walk you to your house?” he added somewhat eagerly, nearly stumbling on his words. He hoped that Katherine didn’t notice. “It is dark out, after all, and you are alone.”

  She smiled graciously. “I appreciate the offer, Dooley, but there’s someone I need to talk to before I leave,” she replied, glancing over at Lewis who was still surrounded by family and friends near the entrance of the village hall. “But thank you anyway.”

  Dooley nodded. “Very well. But do be careful and watch yourself,” he added as he strolled away with a wave of his hand.

  “Oh, I will,” she replied, eyeing Dooley until he disappeared into the murky shadows down the street. “And I shall be watching you as well,” she whispered.

  Zachary Farnsworth poured himself a mug of ale and then ladled out a bowl of pork stew from a simmering pot over his kitchen fire when he heard a strange noise in the house later that night. He ignored it at first while sitting down at a table, prepared to enjoy a quiet evening after enduring Caldurian’s theatrics at the village hall. He shoveled down a few spoonfuls of stew which he enjoyed with some bread and cheese, and then sipped his drink and sighed wearily. Though he continued to do his job at the banking house, the presence of the wizard and his soldiers was wearing on him despite the fact that he had been secretly allowed to keep his food stores. His root cellar had remained untouched. He wondered when Caldurian would leave so he could have the village to himself as agreed.

  He then heard the sound again as if something was frantically scraping against a piece of wood. Perhaps there was a squirrel on the roof or a mouse in the wood pile. But Farnsworth was too tired to care, preparing to retire early with the hope that tomorrow would bring better news. Now that Caldurian had had his revenge by destroying Otto Nibbs, what more could he want?

  Farnsworth slammed his hand on the table when the scraping sound persisted, annoying him to no end. He grabbed a lit candle and wandered through the shadowy rooms to track it down, ending up in the front hallway. He unlocked the door and cautiously opened it, greeted only by silence and the chilly blackness. He opened the door wider, peering into the night, his dark eyes and perplexed frown aglow in candlelight. Suddenly a low, dark shape brushed past his leg and slipped into the house, startling him so that he yelled out in fright. He slammed the door shut and spun around, gazing into the shadowy hallway, the candlelight reflecting eerily in the wall mirror.

  “Where are you?” he uttered harshly.

  As he wildly moved the candle through the air, he caught the gleam of a pair of eyes low to the floor, golden-yellow in color and staring back with a paralyzing intensity. Farnsworth flinched, quickly stepping back, but slowly approached again when seeing that the creature remained perfectly still. When shining more light closer to the animal, its rusty red fur, pricked up ears and narrow snout became visible, causing him to grin.

  “Looking for a meal, little fox?” he asked.

  The fox remained perfectly still, studying Farnsworth for a moment before growing larger and distorting its shape. Farnsworth stepped back, frightened for a moment before realizing what was happening. Soon Maynard Kurtz stood before him, his long silvery-black hair framing a mischievous grin.

  “I’m not particularly hungry at the moment, but thanks all the same,” Maynard replied, stretching his arms as he again accustomed himself to the shape he had been living in for most of these past several weeks
. “Forgive my entrance, but I didn’t want to be spotted walking to your house as either the mayor or in my natural state for obvious reasons. And any chance to exercise my transformational abilities, I happily take.”

  “Guess I can’t blame you,” Farnsworth said, smiling clumsily. As intimidated and uncomfortable as he felt when dealing with Caldurian, those moments couldn’t begin to compare to the apprehension he experienced when alone with Arileez regardless of his physical manifestation. This wizard had spooked him from the very first night they had met. “How can I help you? You were the last person I expected to see tonight.”

  “I’m here only to deliver a message from Caldurian, and then I shall be off,” he said, bathed in the glow of candlelight.

  “Would you like to sit down?” Farnsworth politely offered, though hoping that Arileez would refuse.

  “Not necessary. This will only take a moment,” he continued. “Caldurian wanted me to tell you that he and his troops will be leaving Kanesbury–in secret–two nights from tonight. He wanted you to know that he hadn’t forgotten your agreement.”

  “I never suspected that he would,” Farnsworth said, hoping his demeanor appeared casual and unconcerned. But he celebrated inside, already tasting the power he soon hoped to wield.

  “After Caldurian and his forces return to Montavia in the dead of night, the village will be both delighted and shocked the following morning to find them gone and their lives back to normal,” he said.

  “I can imagine.”

  “Then as everyone goes about the business of setting things right, I shall appoint you as the newest member of the village council, Mr. Farnsworth.”

  “Village council? But there are already five members on it.”

  “True. And though Caldurian and I were going to develop a ploy to assure an opening for you, Ned Adams has already taken care of that problem for us,” he explained. “Ned talked to me in private yesterday, saying that he would remain on the council only until Caldurian was either defeated or run out of the village. After that, he needed to devote his free time to rebuilding his gristmill.”

  “Well, lucky for me then,” Farnsworth replied sarcastically, sitting on a bench against the wall. He set the candle on a shelf.

  Maynard noted his disappointment. “Not pleased with a mere seat on the village council?” he inquired. “That’s a step up in society for a man like you.”

  Farnsworth looked at his visitor with mild contempt, sighing disgustedly. For the moment he didn’t care how mighty a wizard this man was. He simply wanted his due.

  “A seat on the council is nice, but after all the groundwork I did to assist Caldurian in taking over the village, I had expected something more.”

  Maynard chuckled. “Caldurian is right. You are impatient. And easily provoked, too. And we both know what you’re after, but do not worry, Mr. Farnsworth. You shall be justly compensated.”

  “How?”

  “It’s simple,” he said. “A few days after you’re appointed to the council and the village has had a chance to recover, I’ll announce plans to travel to Morrenwood, saying that I must consult with King Justin about Caldurian’s reappearance. In my absence, I’ll highly recommend that you be appointed acting mayor.” Farnsworth looked up, visibly cheered by this bit of good news. “Being the respected citizen and banking manager that you are, the rest of the council should readily agree after my show of support. Besides, with all the commotion that the other council members have been through this past week, I should think they would want a break from the rigors of politics and would have no interest in being mayor themselves.”

  Farnsworth stood, eager to take the reins of power at once. “Well that’s more like it!” he said, giddy with delight. At last, all his careful years of plotting and planning were about to pay off, and all because he had happened to notice Dooley Kramer fingering that silly little key on his doorstep five years ago.

  “Who you appoint to take your place on the council afterward is up to you. My work here will be done.”

  “Are you joining Caldurian in Montavia?” asked Farnsworth.

  Maynard shook his head. “Have you forgotten what Caldurian told you during our meeting at the gristmill? I shall be going to Morrenwood, just like I said. Not to meet with King Justin, however, but to replace him. And after walking around in this body and in this trifling village for far too long, it is a challenge I look forward to.” Maynard rolled his eyes. “In all honesty, Mr. Farnsworth, both Caldurian and I wish never to step foot in your village again. I’m not sure what you see in this place, but you’re welcome to it, sir.”

  Farnsworth grinned, tasting victory at last. “You can have the rest of the kingdom to do with as you like, Arileez. Even all of Laparia, for all I care. Just allow me this little slice of it right here. That’s all I ask and all I ever wanted.”

  “And you’ve succeeded,” he said with a nod of respect, preparing to leave. “But just remember–grabbing power is one thing. Hanging on to it is the real test.”

  “I’ll remember,” Farnsworth replied, half listening to those words while envisioning the exhilarating days ahead as the candlelight flickered wildly in the darkened hallway. He couldn’t wait to assume his new place in Kanesbury society.

  END OF PART FIVE

  PART SIX

  SEARCH AND RESCUE

  CHAPTER 48

  The Road West

  Nicholas and Leo sauntered across a small stone bridge on horseback beneath a starry, moonless sky. They had said goodbye to Nedry an hour ago and left the Blue Citadel, traveling west along the Edelin River. It was now past midnight on the fourteenth day of Mid Autumn. The crisp air swirled with the sweet scent of decaying leaves as the gentle rush of river water below wound its way through the Trent Hills. The young men, bundled in long, hooded wool coats, tasted adventure in the air, yet also felt pangs of sadness when leaving behind the people they cared for so much.

  Leo couldn’t help seeing Princess Megan’s cheerful smile in the murky shadows or hear echoes of her voice in the thin breeze, imagining that she was sleeplessly wandering the corridors of the Citadel, counting down the days until his return. Nicholas, though, could only wonder where Ivy was, believing she was a prisoner in the Northern Isles. As difficult as the journey ahead would be, he knew it couldn’t compare to the hardship and despair that she must now be enduring. If only he and Leo had been more prepared for their fight above the grasslands. If only Ivy had not agreed to change places with Megan in the village of Boros. If only…

  He sighed, knowing he was uselessly torturing himself. He silently vowed to find Ivy and bring her home. He didn’t quite know how to do that or where to begin his search, but Nicholas Raven promised himself that it was the one task in this world he must complete–or die trying.

  “Thinking about the medallion?” Leo asked as they cleared the bridge and followed a dirt road on the opposite side of the river. “Or is it Ivy again?”

  “Ivy,” he whispered. The medallion hanging from his neck by a leather cord seemed an afterthought.

  Locating the wizard Frist in the Dunn Hills to reforge the piece of metal into a key hardly seemed important at the moment. Nicholas guessed that Leo sensed his lapse into melancholy, knowing he shouldn’t indulge such emotions too often if their mission was to succeed. The lives and freedom of many people depended on them. He would have to be strong until the task was completed. Maybe afterward he might find a way to rescue the woman with whom he had fallen helplessly in love. He placed a hand in his coat pocket, fingering the scarf he had purchased for Ivy in Boros and recalling how happy he was when he found it lying on the shoreline along the Trillium Sea. He never had a chance to return it to her above the grasslands, hoping one day to hand it back amid smiles of delight.

  They traveled for another hour under cover of darkness before turning off the road into a thicket of pine trees to spend the night. “Beginning tomorrow, we can travel in daylight,” Nicholas said. “I think we’re far enough away fr
om the Citadel to elude any possible spies, though I don’t see how anybody could know about our mission.”

  “I don’t either,” Leo replied. “Only ten of us were in the chamber when we swore our oath. With luck, this will be an uneventful mission to Wolf Lake and back. Scenic, but uneventful.”

  “After all we’ve been through, uneventful sounds fine,” he said, guiding his horse toward some fragrant pines towering against a starry backdrop. “But right now a night of uninterrupted sleep sounds even better.”

  Leo agreed. After building a small fire, they each wrapped themselves in a fur-lined blanket that Nedry had provided and promptly fell asleep on the cold ground to the sound of creaking branches and the restless grunting of their steeds.

  The southern portion of the Trent Hills divided into two branches separated by an open region that was grassy and fertile in some places and rocky and barren in others. Tiny villages and farmsteads dotted the landscape where conditions were favorable for hunting and cultivating crops. The capital city of Morrenwood was located on the southeastern and less formidable branch of the Trent Hills along the Edelin River. After crossing the waterway on the first night of their journey, it took Nicholas and Leo only a few hours the next day to emerge through the low, green mountains late in the cold morning. Open terrain greeted them beneath a lemon yellow sun as the southwestern branch of the Trent Hills loomed like faint shadows in the distance. There, the Gliwice Gap would lead them directly to the Cashua Forest and beyond. Nicholas reined his horse to a halt and pulled out a map Tolapari had provided. Leo stopped beside him.

  “Lost already?” he joked.

  “Just comparing this map to what I see before me. I want to gage how competent the King’s mapmakers are.” He gazed at the black, green and blue lines on the map and pointed directly west. “Straight ahead to the western branch of the Trent and to Gliwice Gap. About a day and a half, I’d estimate. Less than another day after that to get through the hills.”