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

by Thomas J. Prestopnik

  “Captain, the only item not mentioned in my last report is something I learned about just a short time ago,” Brin said, shooting a cool glance at Nicholas. “There is one among Arteen’s men who is not from the Isles, sir. One of the mainlanders has participated in this botched raid.”

  Lok’s curiosity was sparked. “I was aware from your reports that Arteen and his followers were getting assistance from the nearby villages. However, I didn’t expect any of the locals to join in the attack. Who is this man?”

  Brin pointed at Nicholas, enjoying his moment of power. “Him, sir. His name is Nicholas Raven. He traveled from his home in Arrondale. While on our way here, I overheard him in conversation with Arteen. Mr. Raven is apparently on speaking terms with King Justin. To what extent, I do not know. But if he has the King’s ear, then there is more about him than his appearance would indicate.”

  Before Lok answered, Arteen snickered loudly. “Not only do you turn on your friends, Brin, but you’re an eavesdropper as well.”

  “I’ll do whatever it takes to perform my duty,” he proudly replied.

  “And we’ll do whatever it takes to make you pay for your disloyalty,” Ragus sputtered with disgust. “That’s a promise!”

  “Enough!” Lok said. He stepped toward Nicholas, eyeing him suspiciously. “I had a feeling the moment I saw you that you weren’t one of us. A spy for the King perhaps?”

  “Maybe,” Nicholas replied tauntingly, refusing to say anything more in case he should accidentally reveal his true purpose.

  “Well if spy you are, you’re not a very good one!”

  “The man claimed that he needed to get to Karg Island,” Brin added. “Being a part of this raid was not his true purpose.”

  Lok appeared taken aback. One of his aides close by glanced at him with concern.

  “Could he have come looking for her?” he asked. “Maybe he is a spy.”

  “Silence!” Lok muttered.

  Nicholas’ heart fluttered upon hearing the soldier speak those words to Lok, certain that the man could only be referring to Ivy. But he forced himself to appear uninterested in their verbal exchange.

  “But if he is a spy, maybe there are others like him,” the aide nervously continued. “Maybe they’re already among us.”

  “I said silence!” Lok shouted. “Certain conversations are not meant for all ears. Do you understand?”

  “Yes,” he whispered, nodding in apology.

  Lok studied Nicholas’ face again and seemed to relax. “Just as I sensed in the cabin that you were not one of us, I’m now beginning to suspect that you have come here alone. So whether or not you are a spy for King Justin is irrelevant as you are now my prisoner. What you have come here for is of little concern to me. In the end you’ll be treated just like all the other traitors in this group and suffer the consequences.”

  “And what might those be?” Captain Kellig asked. “Don’t keep us in suspense.”

  “You won’t find the situation so amusing when you stand before the high judges during your tribunal,” Lok dryly replied. “Nor will you,” he added with a caustic look at Arteen. “You and Captain Kellig, along with the handful of your allies on this ship who are imprisoned below deck, will face charges of treason during the inquiry. And after my testimony, I have little doubt that a death sentence awaits all of you. I’d administer it myself right now, but you know how the political and naval higher-ups will want to make a show out of it for their benefit. I can’t deny them their fun, can I?”

  Lok’s followers laughed, but Arteen and Captain Kellig stood there with stony expressions, each afraid to consider the fate of their remaining followers standing before them. Arteen finally posed the question when the commotion died down.

  “What of my men on deck?” he asked. “They’re citizens of the Isles, too. They deserve to make their case and be judged fairly.”

  “They’ve already been judged by me,” Lok said. “They have forfeited any judicial consideration due other men since they have been apprehended in the midst of traitorous acts. There is no doubt of their guilt, or of yours. But I’m allowing you, Captain Kellig and the men below to return to the Isles to appease my superiors. They would surely hound me if I handed down a sweeping verdict here myself–though I have that right as we are out to sea. But the rest of your sorry crew will face my immediate judgment. Their sentences will be carried out forthwith.”

  Captain Kellig looked on with disbelief. “You can’t be serious, Lok! We are not out to sea as you claim. And even if we were, only someone with the rank of vice-commander or higher can exercise such authority. You are out of your bounds, sir!”

  “But I am in charge, am I not?” Lok’s tone was bitter and spiteful. “Commander Uta banished me to this desolate island to run it as I see fit. So in a sense I am carrying the proper authority. Let Uta and Burlu seek glory elsewhere. I have the power here and I shall wield it!” Murmurs of agreement reverberated among his men, bolstering Lok’s belief in his argument. “And in my judgment, all twenty men involved in this conspiracy against me, my ship and my island are found guilty of treason in the first order.” He poked his finger in the cold air to emphasize his words. “Therefore, Captain Kellig and Arteen will be imprisoned below with the others until they are returned to the Isles to face a public sentence. But the remaining eighteen traitors shall be executed forthwith and thrown overboard as they are not worthy to stand on the deck of the Bretic, the very ship they plotted to destroy. And when their bodies wash ashore, let the birds and the elements do with them as they wish, though in my eyes it is a sentence still too lenient for their crimes.”

  A heavy silence pervaded the ship as the remaining clouds broke up and dispersed, revealing a field of stars above. All of Lok’s men as well as those he accused of treason stood in utter disbelief, each wondering if he had heard the captain’s words correctly. Their stunned faces were awash in a sharp breeze off the sea and the steady glow of the Fox Moon. Captain Lok, who had expected a rousing chorus of support from his troops, looked upon their silence with mild irritation.

  “Is there a problem?” he asked, eyeing some of his closest aides who returned only tentative glances. Finally, one of them found the nerve to speak.

  “Captain Lok, I’m wondering if…” The man froze in mid-sentence, intimidated by Lok’s vulture-like scrutiny.

  “Yes? Say what’s on your mind.”

  After a moment’s hesitation, the soldier nervously cleared his throat. “I’m wondering if you might reconsider your decision, sir. I think you may have misspoken–unintentionally, of course!”

  Lok glowered at the man, and while everyone expected him to erupt in rage, the captain simply shook his head and sighed. “Misspoken? No, I don’t think so. I meant what I said. My order will be carried out. Is that understood?” The man nodded nervously. “Good! Then if there aren’t any other questions, we’ll proceed.”

  “Not if I have anything to say about it,” Arteen said. “Do you think you can get away with such an irrational scheme?”

  “You can state your argument when we return to the Isles,” Lok said. “But unless you want to join your fellow conspirators and share in their fate now, I suggest you keep quiet.”

  “We’ll do no such thing!” Captain Kellig jumped in. “Even your own men are horrified that you’d suggest such a grotesque idea, Lok. It is out of the bounds of decency. It is even out of the bounds of Island law.” He growled with disgust. “Propose all the lunatic ideas you want, but I suspect that even your most loyal soldier will not follow your orders down such a dark and treacherous path.”

  “They will follow me, or they will join the traitors!”

  “You are the traitor, to reason and sanity.”

  “Enough! I am in charge, Mr. Kellig, and I hereby strip you of your rank. Now not another word from anyone.” Lok unsheathed his sword and raised it with one arm for all to see. “Let the blood of these renegades stain this sword tonight and seep into the waters of the Trilli
um. I will accept full responsibility for their fate.” He handed the weapon to his nearest soldier, directing him to walk one of the prisoners to the railing and strike the first deadly blow. “You can start with that one,” Lok ordered, pointing at Nicholas.

  “What?” Nicholas looked back wide-eyed, his mouth agape. Before he could utter another word, Arteen spoke up in his defense.

  “You cannot kill him, Lok, without risking the wrath of the mainlanders. They have assisted us greatly, though in secret. But should they find out that you murdered one of their own in cold blood, one who is dear to the family of our greatest supporter, they would rise up against you without a single thought for their safety.”

  “Well, Arteen, that is where you’re wrong,” he replied. “When the villagers find eighteen dead bodies washed up on shore, fear will spread like wildfire along the Crescent. Their horror will be my greatest weapon. It will crush their budding rebellion before it grows stronger roots. The Isles won’t want to waste time, resources and troops to keep them in line if they ever revolted. So just think how pleased the leadership will be when learning that I already have the locals in line. I might earn a promotion when it’s over.”

  “I doubt that,” Arteen said, glancing at Brin who stood ill at ease nearby. He addressed the young soldier. “Having second thoughts now about throwing in your lot with the likes of him?”

  “Address my men no further, Arteen. You’re trying to confuse them with your twisted words,” Lok said, moderating his strident tone. “Despite my harsh sentence, my troops know that I’m right. And I will stand by my decision since that is a sign of a truly great leader, is it not?”

  As Lok scanned an eye over his troops, hoping for an inkling of support, he was disappointed and incensed that most of his men had cast their gazes out across the water, taking it as a sign of silent dishonor. If he lost their support now, he knew his authority would be compromised beyond repair. Even though he had quelled the uprising and defeated the traitors, he would still be on the losing end as far as his soldiers were concerned, their grudging respect and fear forever lost.

  “What insubordination is this?” he angrily lashed out, grabbing his sword back from the soldier and driving the sharp tip into the deck. “I demand your attention! My orders will be followed!”

  “Captain Lok,” whispered one of his aides. “Commander Uta’s–”

  “I don’t want to hear another word about Commander Uta or anyone else on the Isles who might object to my instructions. Do you understand? They are not here to–”

  “But, sir,” the aide persisted, pointing to the southeast. “Commander Uta’s ship is approaching. The Hara Nor is here.”

  Lok was dumbstruck, turning around and gazing out across the water where everyone else was looking. “Impossible,” he whispered to himself. He glanced hard at his aide. “This cannot be. Commander Uta is about to lead a vital mission far from here. That cannot possibly be his ship.”

  “But it is, Captain,” another aide replied. “His flag is visible on one of the mast lines. The Fox Moon illuminates it from behind.”

  The man pointed out the stark yet glorious sight to Captain Lok who continued to look on with utter incredulity. As the Hara Nor swiftly glided over the dark waters of the Trillium, ablaze in moonlight, Lok’s plans for a magnificent night of personal triumph dissolved into bitterness as old wounds quickly surfaced. His shoulders slumped at the sight of the Hara Nor as his breath involuntarily escaped from his aching lungs.

  “Why is he here?” he muttered, walking to the railing and clutching it, his fingernails digging into the wood. “This is my ship. This is my night. Hasn’t Uta ruined my life enough already?”

  “What shall we do with the prisoners, captain?”

  The voice of his aide echoed in Lok’s ears as he stared hypnotically over the railing. The Hara Nor was fast approaching.

  “I need a moment to think,” Lok wearily replied, his eyes fixed on the ship. Slowly he loosened his grip on the railing. A hint of a smile spread across his face while the gears in his mind rapidly turned. “Perhaps I can still make this work,” he said, turning to his aide. “But we’ll have to move fast!”

  CHAPTER 61

  A Change of Command

  The Hara Nor lowered her sails and dropped anchor when she was parallel to the Bretic’s starboard side. The vessel was the grander of the two ships, much larger, more stately and one of the finest in the fleet. Commander Uta was proud to call it his own, flying his military standard just below the official flag of the Isles. But Uta was not on board the Hara Nor at the moment. A small rowboat was lowered from the deck and minutes later a handful of men climbed aboard the Bretic. Captain Lok greeted them, slightly miffed by their presence. Brin and a few other soldiers were at his side. Though Lok knew that Commander Uta was working his way down the Trent Hills for a future raid on the Citadel, he half expected him to be here with his ship. Instead, a tall man with a finely trimmed beard upon a thin face extended a hand in greeting. Lok tentatively accepted it.

  “Welcome aboard the Bretic, Vice-Commander Ovek. This is an unexpected pleasure,” Lok said with a perfunctory dryness. “It is rare that Commander Uta’s ship sails without him on board.”

  “He trusts me with it,” Ovek replied before introducing his aides. Lok did the same. “I had almost hoped that Captain Kellig would be greeting me tonight as this is his ship, but I guess what I heard is true.”

  Lok raised a suspicious eyebrow at the comment, wondering what the vice-commander was referring to. “What you heard?”

  “Now don’t be modest, Captain Lok. That is so unlike you,” he said with a grin. “I want to congratulate you on apprehending the band of traitors intent on taking and destroying this ship.” Lok stared back at Ovek, his mouth agape. “I’m assuming this is the case as I see no signs of fighting or bloodshed. And as Captain Kellig is nowhere in sight, I must be correct in my assumption, am I not?”

  “You are indeed, sir,” Lok grudgingly responded, his voice nearly a whisper. But his thoughts swirled with suspicion, wondering how Ovek received word of his triumph and how he showed up precisely at this moment. Most of all, he warily suspected that nothing good would come of it. “But how do you know of this treason and my response to it? Events unfolded only moments ago. The prisoners had just been taken below deck as you arrived.” Lok wrinkled his brow. “I do not understand.”

  “I was informed in advance of your plan to let the traitors converge on this ship so that you could capture them in the act,” he said approvingly. “It was quite a risk but one that apparently paid off handsomely.”

  “Who told you?” Lok asked, keeping a boiling anger in check.

  Vice-Commander Ovek threw a glance at Lok’s men which sent a chill through the captain. Brin stepped forward, eyeing Captain Lok without fear or intimidation.

  “I have been keeping Vice-Commander Ovek apprised of this situation for the past several weeks,” he calmly stated.

  “Explain yourself!” Lok said.

  Brin complied. “Ever since I heard rumors of Arteen’s organization months ago when I arrived on these shores, I decided to find out all I could, hoping one day to crush it. It pained me to learn that there were Islanders fleeing their military companies to start new lives on the mainland. It incensed me even more to find out that some of them were hiding in the area to wage war against us. That is why I ran away from my post one night after we had finished working on our rafts for the day,” he explained. “I wandered through the woods and about the shoreline for over a week before being spotted by a small group of Islanders who had also fled. They were part of Arteen’s group plotting against us. When I told them of my disgust for the Isles’ military endeavors and my plans to start a new life on the mainland, they brought me to Arteen and integrated me into their group. It was exactly where I wanted to be. Soon I gained their trust and their secrets.”

  “And then you came to me,” Lok said, still wondering how Ovek was given the same infor
mation.

  “Yes, but only after weeks of going off alone on spying missions or acting as a messenger among our contacts in the nearby villages,” Brin said. “I first had to play the part of a traitor to fully convince Arteen and the others that I was one of them. Finally, I was sent off to the village of Illingboc to pass on information to a few of our soldiers hiding out there and to some of the locals supporting us. As I was on my own for a few days, I stole a small boat from shore one night and paddled to Karg Island and presented my case to you.”

  “I remember that night,” Lok replied. “I encouraged you to continue your pretense and to keep me informed so we could eventually crush the rebellion.”

  “And so I did, visiting you in person on a few more occasions when it was feasible, or sending messages to you from time to time via trusted soldiers on other visiting ships.” A snake-like smile spread across Brin’s face. “When I finally learned about the planned raid on the last ship to arrive here before winter, I knew it was our best chance to expose the traitors and destroy the network Arteen had developed. I quickly got that information to you.”

  “But how did Vice-Commander Ovek learn of all this?”

  “Simple,” Ovek said. “Mr. Mota also sent word to me through a few of his contacts on the ships returning to the Isles. He is a smart and ambitious soldier. I, in turn, let Commander Uta know what was going on the last time I saw him before he and Burlu departed on their mission. I got word back to Brin to keep me informed, telling him I would be in the area on the Hara Nor when the last ship arrived. I hid my vessel in a deserted cove several miles down the coast. Brin contacted me before dawn yesterday about tonight’s proceedings, and well, here I am.”

  “But why?” Lok sputtered, unable to contain his seething anger. “I had the situation under control. I knew how to deal with the traitors and put an end to the insurgency once and for all. Why did you have to show up?” He glared at Brin. “And why did you have to contact the Vice-Commander? Why would you deceive me?”