Greeting the trio of warrior kings was Captain Silas from the army of Rhiál. He stood with a few of his men at the foot of a stone bridge spanning the Swift River. Prince Gregory, Eucádus and a few other captains were also present. Sprawled out upon a large field on the opposite side of the river below the eaves of the Bressan Woods was an encampment of nearly one thousand men, all citizens of Rhiál and Maranac.
King Cedric and the others dismounted and greeted Captain Silas like an old friend. The soldier’s hazel eyes and shortly cropped hair were accentuated with a beaming smile of gratitude for the sacrifices these men had made to save Rhiál from Vellan’s grasp. But King Cedric and his companions were just as grateful by the presence of Silas and his army, surprised to see so many men here after their conflict against Drogin.
“King Victor of Rhiál and Queen Melinda of Maranac send their greetings,” Captain Silas said with a modest bow of his head. He wore a brown, weather-stained coat that matched his pants. Visible beneath the unbuttoned coat and over his gray woolen shirt was a dark blue vest with tiny nautical insignia stitched along the seams that brought to mind the vast beauty and windswept waters of Lake LaShear. “And though both King and Queen wish they could have sent more recruits, this is all they could spare. Some of our troops are still recovering from wartime injuries while many others are engaged in rebuilding the two kingdoms after Drogin’s destruction.”
“Your contribution is beyond what we had anticipated,” King Justin replied, “and it gives me hope that we may nearly match the numbers that Vellan might throw at us now that his Enâri creatures are out of the count.”
“But it will still be a formidable force,” Prince Gregory said. “Though Vellan’s troops have been reduced, he may substitute that lack of manpower with a more ruthless vengeance.”
“I’ll confidently put our forces up against anything Vellan has to offer,” King Cedric remarked with a gritty smile. “We’ve already stopped his puppet, Drogin, and his Enâri thugs, so we can do the same to him.”
“We’d received word of the Enâri demise some weeks ago,” Silas said. “It was astounding news. I would like to know more.”
“As would I,” Eucádus said. “And to that end I promise to round up Leo Marsh later on, an individual instrumental in that affair. He can provide us additional details at his leisure. In the meantime, how is King Victor’s health these days after his imprisonment? And when was he installed as Rhiál’s monarch?”
“Both he and Queen Melinda were coronated in brief, simple ceremonies in their respective capitals a few weeks after the war. But with much urging from the public, they promised to hold a more formal ceremony in conjunction with their wedding later in the summer after the wounds of war have begun to heal.”
“A wedding?” King Justin said. “I had thought such would be in the offing when I saw them holding hands on the balcony in Zaracosa. It will be a wholesome tonic for the kindred kingdoms.”
“Soon again to be united,” Silas remarked, explaining how King Victor and Queen Melinda had recently asked their respective populations about merging Rhiál and Maranac into a nation called New Maranac. “Public votes were arranged and the citizens on both sides of the lake resoundingly approved to bury the political mistakes of the past and unite again as one. New Maranac will officially come into existence on the first day of autumn several weeks after Victor and Melinda are married. The new capital city of Bellavon has been refurbished for their arrival.”
“I’m glad at least one corner of Laparia seems to be healing,” Prince Gregory said. “But what of the new King’s wellbeing?”
“King Victor’s health is progressing nicely. His knee injury is nearly mended so that he hardly needs his cane.” Silas softly laughed. “He conveniently forgets it most times despite promptings from the Queen when she visits from across the lake. But King Victor would not yet be able to bear a long ride across the Kincarin Plains or endure the rigors of a battle in Kargoth despite his protests to the contrary. He desired to lead our men here, but after much convincing–though I do not think he was fully convinced–he relented to the sage advice of the royal physician and his bride-to-be.”
“Rhiál needs the presence of a strong king during turbulent times,” King Rowan interjected. “I know that from my trials in Montavia. And after King Basil’s death on one side of Lake LaShear and King Hamil’s assassination on the other, Victor and Melinda’s proper places right now are in their respective capitals.”
“I agree,” the captain replied. “So as his representative, I will go into harm’s way on this side of Laparia in repayment to all of you for restoring liberty in the future kingdom of New Maranac. It is a debt my soldiers and I are most honored to repay.”
A veil of mist lay upon the river the next morning. Captain Silas’ men crossed the bridge and joined the other armies on the west side of the water, all joyfully welcomed as brothers-in-arms. A shroud of hazy, white clouds lingered over the greening landscape as the sun rose above the horizon on winter’s final day. But by noontime, the clouds had thickened and a steady drizzle of rain fell, dampening the army’s spirit as it trudged along the river’s reedy banks, yet the temperature moderated the farther south they moved.
They passed through several small villages, cheered on by locals who offered food and drink to lucky soldiers positioned on the edges of the lines. Most of the time, however, the troops saw only muddy farms awaiting spring planting or miles of scrubland dotted with an occasional outcropping of rock or rolling hills.
“I look forward to gazing upon the waters of Lake Mara,” King Rowan remarked to Kings Justin and Cedric who rode on either side of him during this latest leg of the journey. The three Kings were warmly cloaked, their white breaths faintly rising as raindrops dripped off the edges of their hoods. “I’ve never traveled so far south in Laparia on this side of the Kincarin Plains.”
“The blue water of Lake Mara is a sight to behold, especially in dazzling sunshine,” King Cedric replied. “We’ll reach the north tip by nightfall. Tomorrow you’ll see her under a splendid sunrise.”
“A spring sunrise,” King Justin reminded them. “Tomorrow marks the first day of New Spring and the new year.”
“But we were so enjoying this one,” King Cedric joked.
King Rowan sighed as a thin smile faded from his lips. “May the year seven hundred and forty-three be a healing year for all of us–and a far sight better than seven forty-two,” he said as his horse trotted contentedly along under a gentle rain. “Though that shouldn’t be too difficult a goal to achieve.”
“Many won’t be sorry to see this year fade into history,” King Justin said, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. “Though we’ve had our successes, it has been a grievous one for sure.”
“We’ll bid it farewell at the break of dawn tomorrow,” King Cedric added with hope in his voice despite the lingering rain and the memories of a bloody year past. “May the new year bestow upon us thrice the blessings as compared to the sorrows visited upon Laparia over the last four seasons.”
“I’ll happily drink to that,” King Justin said, “even if it be only with hot tea–assuming we can get a fire going when dusk nears and Lake Mara beckons to us.”
King Rowan simply nodded, overwhelmed into silence by the many fond memories of Prince Brendan weaving lightly through his mind like a capricious spring breeze through an open window.
They neared the north tip of Lake Mara as evening shadows stretched eastward under a cloudy, moonless sky. The rain had ceased two hours ago, and the pleasant aromas of clean lake water, fresh ground foliage and rich soil mingled in the air. Campfires appeared up and down the lakeshore and on either side of the main road as the men pitched tents and enjoyed a warm meal. Thickets of budding deciduous trees and towering pines dotted the landscape and the water’s edge. The glow of firelight flickered upon the water as sweet smelling smoke rose above the encampments and lingered over the troops like a hazy roof.
As the hours pas
sed, the fires faded to glowing embers and soldiers took their rest except for those on guard duty. Sometime after midnight, the waning crescent Fox Moon rose in the east behind thinning clouds and cast its subtle light across the tops of the ghostly billows. Three hours later, the Bear Moon, a much thinner waning crescent, ascended in the east as the men slept and dreamed. In time, a light breeze stirred in the west. The clouds broke up and scattered, allowing the dual moons to gently illuminate the encampment below as they continued creeping westward.
Dawn broke a few hours later as a milky gray line stretched across the eastern horizon. The sky, now clear of clouds, shimmered in rich shades of ebony and deep blue as a multitude of stars blinked open like watchful eyes for the remaining moments of darkness.
Slowly, the first warm rays of the rising sun leaped above the horizon directly in the east. The sharp curve of the brilliant yellow sun gradually ascended above the cool waters of Lake Mara, marking the first day of a brand new spring with little fanfare, scattering a healing warmth and radiant light upon the plains, rivers and mountaintops. The year seven hundred and forty-three had arrived.
William enjoyed breakfast along the shoreline with Eucádus, Ramsey and other soldiers that morning, reminiscing about the war in Rhiál. Sunlight sparkled upon the waters of Lake Mara and sliced through nearby tree branches, their supple edges glowing with an emerald luminescence. The cool, crisp air of the first spring morning revived everyone’s hope and strength.
“I’d like to visit the Star Clearing one more time,” William said as he munched on a honey biscuit and sipped from a mug of steaming tea. He sat on a rock embedded in the dirt as a fire crackled and sparked amid swirls of gray and blue smoke. “But regardless of the war’s outcome, I don’t suppose you’ll be going back there.”
“If things go ill, we definitely won’t return,” Ramsey said, “mainly because we’ll probably all be dead.” He rubbed his whiskers and grinned upon hearing William’s laughter at his dark joke.
“On the other hand,” Eucádus jumped in, “should we defeat Vellan–and I intend for us to do so–we’ll most likely make a short visit to the Clearings to retrieve our possessions before moving back to Harlow, Linden and Surna. Despite becoming a dear second home, most of us miss our real homes even though the Five Clearings were the only dwellings some of our children had ever lived in. But I don’t expect anyone will want to continue living in the Ebrean Forest if our nations are eventually freed.”
“You’re probably right,” William said, eyeing the ground as he took another sip of tea. “Still, it’d be nice to see the Star Clearing one last time–and areas thereabouts.”
Eucádus shot a knowing glance at Ramsey before speaking to William with gentle understanding. “We would be honored to take you back to the cabin where your brother is buried, Will. Ramsey had mentioned that very thing to me only yesterday. We also discussed the subject with your grandfather when he inquired about doing so.”
“Really?” William looked up hopefully.
Ramsey nodded. “After this war is over and we’re still breathing, we can return to Brendan’s resting spot and retrieve his body. King Rowan wants to transport him back to Montavia with honor for a proper burial at home.”
William smiled with relief. “That would soothe my troubled heart very much. Ever since traveling in these lands again, that awful day in the cabin is all I seem to think about. Taking Brendan’s body home will help ease the grief of many people, especially my mother. She was devastated by my brother’s death.”
“Vilna seems very strong in spirit from what your grandfather had told me,” Eucádus replied. “Despite a heartache that will never subside, she will endure and thrive just as you have, which is an admirable trait and a lasting tribute to your brother.”
“She’ll be glad to have him back home,” he said, gazing at the tendrils of steam rising from his cup. “And so will I.”
The journey commenced after breakfast. Lake Mara remained a constant companion on the troops’ left, sometimes disappearing in part behind thickets of trees or dense brush, while other times gazing upon the soldiers like a vast blue eye, windswept at times though always lapping upon shores of stone, sand or spongy grass depending on the terrain. By midmorning the sun climbed above the water, but the air remained cool and comfortable with the scent of a new spring day rolling lightly upon the air.
“What would you do with moonflowers, Carmella, if you found any?” Leo posed this question as his horse sauntered alongside her enclosed wagon to his right as they moved southward amid a sea of supply carts. Hobin rode farther up the line with King Justin and Tolapari to discuss his plans for mapping portions of Arrondale.
“The leaves of the moonflower can be used in many potions,” she said, “though they are hard to come by in parts north. They are plentiful in the southern regions of the Northern Mountains.”
“Near the southern border of Kargoth?” Leo asked with much concern.
Carmella nodded. “I asked Prince Gregory to mention it to King Justin before I approach him. I want to slip away for a few hours some evening and search among the foothills for specimens. It will be well worth the effort.”
“If he grants permission, Hobin and I will accompany you. Even though we’d still be far from Del Norác, I don’t want you wandering alone in Kargoth, especially at night.”
“That’s the best time to pick moonflowers as they are at their most potent,” she explained. “Besides, the Enâri are no longer a threat. I’ll be perfectly fine.”
“Vellan has other allies roaming about his lands, some even miles away from the capital city,” he warned. “I’m going with you. Megan would scold me for sure if I didn’t.”
“We’ll save this debate for another time,” Carmella said with good humor as her wagon rattled along the well-worn dirt road. “But in the meantime, I– Oh, look,” she said, pointing up ahead to a horse slowly making its way toward them among the lines of wagons. Atop it sat Prince William who waved at Carmella and Leo as he drew nearer. “We have a visitor this morning.”
“A bored visitor,” William said as he expertly turned his horse around and was soon accompanying Carmella to his left. “I just came back from riding with Eucádus and the others about a quarter mile up the line. He was going to send a messenger, but I volunteered to dispel the monotony.”
“It’s not much more exciting down here,” Leo said. “What did Eucádus want?”
“He was hoping you might join them, Leo, and recount your mission to the Dunn Hills. They all have many questions. Besides, we’ve talked to death about our adventures in Rhiál and are in desperate need of a new topic of conversation. If you’re willing to indulge us, it would be greatly appreciated.”
Carmella smiled broadly. “I think Leo would be more than happy to follow you back, Prince William. Though he probably won’t admit it, I suspect he’s getting rather bored by me prattling on about moonflowers and magic.”
“I’ve been quite fascinated,” Leo replied. “But if Eucádus has requested my presence, who am I to refuse?”
“Then you had better go,” she said pleasantly. “It will give me time to think.”
“About what?” William asked.
“About, well–moonflowers, of course,” she replied.
Moments later, Leo and William disappeared on their steeds among the other wagons, leaving Carmella alone with thoughts about the path she would take in the days ahead–a solitary path, if she could pull it off. She lightly held the reins, plotting out a string of steps that she hoped would lead her straight to Madeline.
Leo followed William out of the swarm of wagons rumbling along the main road. They guided their horses to a wide, grassy strip between the road and Lake Mara. They could move faster now and soon passed the front of the supply line. There was an empty space in the road at that point until they reached the tail end of a company of marching soldiers just ahead.
“Eucádus and the others are farther up the road,” William said,
pointing south.
His gaze shifted left about a quarter mile ahead toward the lakeshore where he spotted a thin trail of bluish smoke snaking into the air from a single campfire. He didn’t give it a second thought though because Prince Gregory, also on horseback, suddenly stepped out of the unit of marching soldiers just ahead of them. William and Leo sauntered up to him and were greeted with a smile.
“What mischief are you men up to today?” the prince asked, reining his horse to a halt.
“Will and his friends apparently need to be entertained,” Leo joked, briefly explaining where they were going.
“Inspecting the troops?” William inquired of his fellow prince.
“Not quite. I see someone camping by the shore,” he replied, pointing to the rising smoke William had noticed moments ago. “I’m guessing that Maximilian has showed up, early as usual. He had promised to meet me near the southern portion of Lake Mara so we could coordinate our strategies. His resistance fighters in the Northern Mountains are preparing to strike Deshla prison. They want to launch their attack as we strike Vellan’s stronghold at Del Norác.”
“I hope Maximilian’s fellow soldiers possess a better sense of direction. He is quite far from the southern end of the lake.”
Prince Gregory chuckled. “No doubt Max had reached the appointed spot days ago and got bored waiting there. He must have hiked up along the lake knowing he would eventually run into us. Max gets restless when he’s not busy. I’ll introduce him to both of you after we discuss our itineraries.”
“I look forward to it,” Leo said. “But please excuse us now as I have to discuss my adventures in the Dunn Hills–again–with some who haven’t yet heard the entire story.”
“Enjoy the attention while you can because one day people might stop asking,” Prince Gregory advised. “You performed a task you should be proud of, Leo. Certainly many others are proud of you, so enjoy hearing about it.”
Nicholas Raven and the Wizards' Web (The Complete Epic Fantasy) Page 148