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

by Thomas J. Prestopnik

  “Shall I send them below with my cousin?” Madeline asked. “It will do your heart and mind good to have them out of your sight.”

  “Carmella is here?” Nicholas asked with foreboding. “She was under the King’s protection. How did this happen?”

  “I have had several uninvited guests over the past few days,” Vellan said, “including your co-conspirator. That Carmella willingly brought the medallion to the Blue Citadel makes her as much of an accomplice in the annihilation of the Enâri as the two of you. I also include King Justin in your little group and his underling who turned the key. And if there is a modicum of justice in the world then they, too, shall get what’s coming to them,” he remarked in an almost snarling manner as Nicholas and Leo exchanged troubled glances. “Yet in deference to Madeline, I have postponed any decision on Carmella’s fate for the time being, allowing that woman to work as her cousin’s servant in the quarters below.”

  “But humility is slow to come to my cousin,” Madeline said. “Perhaps other methods should be employed, though I wonder if she is even worth the trouble.”

  “Time will tell,” Vellan told her, turning to Nicholas and Leo. “Now suddenly you two drop in, giving me more to ponder regarding the meting out of punishments. And though I expected you to arrive here someday, Nicholas Raven, as Cale had informed me that his cousin was bringing you to me, I never expected your friend to show up, too.” He shot a glance at Leo. “Don’t even think about reaching for your weapon,” he said as Leo’s fingers inched toward his dagger. “Madeline and I can take you both down with a well chosen spell before either one of you draws your blade. Such a rash attempt would not bode well for Ivy either, so keep that in mind.”

  “Fine,” Leo grudgingly replied, his hand dropping to his side. He knew they were already at a severe disadvantage, wondering how much worse it could get if Vellan ever found out that he was the person who opened the Spirit Box.

  “I feel like a bit of supper,” Vellan said in an upbeat tone, much to Madeline’s delight. “I’ve been thinking far too long and have worked up an appetite. Let us move to the dining chamber where we can continue our conversation. There is much yet that I want to learn from Misters Raven and Marsh before I decide their fates.” He stood up with a helping hand from Madeline and appeared much taller than his previously hunched position had indicated. After he straightened out his robes, Madeline handed Vellan his gnarled staff. “Perhaps before the stew gets cold, the latest report from the fighting will have arrived if my messenger is on time for once. The many steps up to this level bother his knees though he is far younger than I.”

  “He’ll manage,” Madeline replied, extending her hands toward Nicholas and Leo. “I’ll have your weapons.”

  “And should we refuse?” Nicholas gently challenged.

  “Don’t test my patience,” she said in granite-hard tones, prompting Nicholas and Leo to reluctantly remove their daggers and surrender them to her with icy silence. “Now follow me,” she added, heading toward the archway.

  “Wait a moment,” Vellan said, pointing to Leo. “Open the door to the terrace just a little as it had been earlier. You closed it all the way when you came back inside.”

  “All right,” he replied, somewhat perplexed as he carried out Vellan’s request. “I’m sorry I disturbed it.”

  “I’m waiting for my informant to return. He’ll need a way inside,” he explained while leaning on his staff. “Now let us eat. I’m starving for both food and information.” Vellan indicated for them to follow Madeline into the adjoining corridor. “I’ll provide the former, and if the two of you value the lives of you and your friends, then you shall supply the latter,” he remarked matter-of-factly. “Have I made myself clear?”

  They walked into the gently curving hallway and turned left. The pervading stillness and fluttering candle flames created a hypnotic atmosphere that seemed far removed from the violence raging outside. Nicholas was about to inquire about Ivy’s welfare when someone was heard ascending the staircase through the archway just ahead to the right. A moment later, Caldurian stepped through the opening, slightly out of breath and holding three pieces of folded parchment, each sealed with a blot of black wax.

  “Ah, my messenger has arrived,” Vellan said. “And on time, too. Your knees must be getting accustomed to all that climbing.”

  “My portion of the relay is only three levels, but as it is in service to you, Vellan, I ignore the inconvenience,” he replied with feigned respect. He looked up at Nicholas and Leo, immediately recognizing the two men from their encounter near Lake Mara. “The latest military reports,” he said as he handed the letters to Vellan, all the while keeping an uneasy gaze upon the new arrivals. “Now if you please, tell me what is going on? What are they doing here?”

  “They are my supper guests,” Vellan replied as he placed the letters into a large pocket of his garments. “I’m glad you’re on time to join us while I question them. I hope to learn much before I pronounce their judgments. They might learn a thing or two about what you’ve been up to as well.” He turned to Nicholas. “Caldurian has been my loyal apprentice for years, though his decision-making of late has been less than exemplary.”

  “I already know about him,” Nicholas said. “He disrupted life in my village twenty years ago. And as I recently learned from Prince Gregory, he did so again for nine days late last autumn.”

  Caldurian returned a sheepish grin. “So you’ve heard of recent events?”

  Nicholas scowled with contempt. “Yes, and among other things, I was informed that my dear friend, Maynard Kurtz, is missing and that Otto Nibbs is in jail. Now you wouldn’t have anything to do with those two incidents, would you?”

  Caldurian nodded. “And a good many others, too. But let’s not quibble about the details. I suppose it wasn’t my finest hour for one striving to be a great wizard, but I was pleased with myself for engineering such a grand deception upon your little village.”

  “And not caring who you hurt in the process.”

  “Vengeance does carry a price,” he stated.

  “Were Maynard and Otto both targets of your vengeance?” Nicholas asked as Caldurian stared back with little emotion. “And where is Maynard? Tell me that much.”

  Caldurian sighed, feeling some sympathy for Nicholas after all he had endured. The wizard held no personal grudges against him, knowing that the young man had been swept away by events out of his control and knowledge. But it was far too late to make amends.

  “That is a conversation for another time,” he said. “I hope to move beyond talk of misguided deeds and offer you my deepest apology for what it’s worth.”

  “Not much,” Nicholas replied, knowing he wouldn’t get any answers.

  “He apologized to me, too,” Vellan chimed in, “after having used my servant, Arileez, for his own purposes in your village. I wasn’t pleased, but I have a forgiving nature–to a point. So as part of his punishment, Caldurian now serves as one of my messengers rather than apprentice. Perhaps he can yet be saved.”

  “I only wish to be in your good graces again and learn whatever more I can,” Caldurian coolly replied. “After all, now that I’m aware of the âvin éska, I can only guess that there are numerous other magic spells you can yet teach to this willing student. Though why it has taken this long, I’ll never understand.” He offered Vellan a halfhearted smile which prompted a look of sour disgust from Madeline.

  “See, he is still hurt that I have chastened him so,” Vellan remarked to Nicholas and Leo, “but he’ll get over it if he expects to remain in my service. I can just as easily take on another apprentice,” he added, favorably eyeing Madeline with little heed for Caldurian’s wounded pride. “I need someone who thinks as I do and understands the goals I have for this part of the world.”

  “Then maybe Caldurian isn’t your man,” Leo said, hoping to fan the underlying dissension between the two wizards.

  “Oh?”

  “While Nicholas and I were w
ith the King’s army a short while ago, Caldurian theorized about Prince Brendan’s astonishing return from the grave.” He turned to Caldurian, detecting a hint of uncertainty in his dark eyes. “And it was during that conversation when King Justin referenced another conversation he had had with you last winter while you were his prisoner in the Citadel.”

  “You talk too much!” Caldurian snapped.

  “I, on the other hand, am very interested in what the young man has to say,” Madeline said with a provocative smile.

  “As am I,” Vellan added, indicating for Leo to proceed.

  “If I remember correctly, and I believe I do,” he continued, “the King said that Caldurian had told him that Vellan’s plans had become–misguided?” He placed a finger to his chin, feigning deep thought. “Yes, that was the word–misguided.”

  Caldurian was about to lash out at Leo but intercepted Vellan’s caustic gaze, momentarily holding his temper.

  “Misguided?” Vellan remarked, though without a hint of fury. “I suppose, Caldurian, I should be hurt by that comment. But since you neither delivered the kingdom of Montavia to me nor secured the Spirit Box, I really can’t put much stock in your disparaging opinion of my endeavors.”

  “I agree,” Madeline replied. “Such behavior is the height of disloyalty.”

  A flash of disgust ignited in Caldurian’s eyes. “Disloyalty? You wish to discuss that subject, Madeline? Don’t get me started!” He raised a finger to her, his words laced with the hurt and disbelief welling inside him. “In the days before I arrived here, I had many long conversations with Carmella. And let me tell you, your cousin taught me a thing or two about your lack of loyalty to me.”

  Madeline’s eyes widened with disbelief. “How could you say such a thing? Any poison my cousin uttered was said simply to drive a wedge between us.”

  “You’ve managed to do that brilliantly without her help!” he replied. “After your argument with Carmella behind the Citadel, she informed me that you had said that I had outlived my usefulness. Do you wish to refute that statement?” he asked, his words as prickly as a burdock bush. “And to top things off, you ran to Kargoth like a scared rabbit with that spineless Mune to worm your way into Vellan’s confidence instead of seeking me out in Montavia.” Caldurian grunted. “Disloyalty? You use that word so freely, ma’am, because you’re only too familiar with it!”

  Before Madeline could respond, Vellan pricked the bubble of rising tension with a thin laugh, bringing them both to an uneasy silence. “What a quarrelsome family we must seem to our guests,” he said, leaning upon his staff. “This is an unbecoming atmosphere inside the corridors of Mount Minakaris, though I suppose it is partly my fault for placing my trust in so few people. But alas, what’s done is done. Now can we abandoned these quibbles and attend to matters of war while we enjoy our supper?”

  “Please,” Madeline said, weary of the verbal strife as Caldurian silently fumed.

  As she led the way down the passage to the last room on their left, she wished that neither Caldurian nor her cousin had found their way to Vellan’s abode, desiring a fresh start away from her tumultuous past. Madeline felt confident that an apprenticeship with Vellan, despite his recent weakening, would serve her far better than a continued and shaky alliance with Caldurian. Perhaps one day, she speculated, the realm of Kargoth might fall into her own capable hands. As they reached the end of the corridor, a small, swift shape passed over them and sailed down the passageway. It quickly circled back, its fluttering shadow magnified upon the walls by the wavering candle flames.

  “What was that?” Leo asked. He and Nicholas ducked briefly as the flying object zeroed in on them when it first zoomed past.

  “A bat?” Nicholas guessed, cautiously looking up.

  “Not quite. This is my faithful informant,” Vellan said with a pleased smile as a large black bird settled upon his left shoulder to everyone’s surprise. The messenger crow, Gavin, who regularly met in private with Vellan in the chamber next to the terrace, was accustomed to seeing the place well guarded. The crow was leery of the present situation and whispered into the wizard’s ear. Vellan nodded as he listened, his eyes widening with interest as Gavin spilled out a string of astounding details.

  “Even the bird has abandoned me,” Caldurian muttered.

  “Gavin has served you well,” Vellan said after the crow had finished talking, “which is why I sent him north to assist you after instilling in him the ability to communicate in our language. He returned to me weeks ago after notifying Vice-Commander Ovek that Princess Megan’s kidnapping had been a ruse. Gavin reported his observations about the debacles at both Red Lodge and the Blue Citadel. My feathered informant also provided information about Mr. Raven and Mr. Marsh’s activities. But today he brings good news from the battlefront,” he added with delight.

  “Are we to learn of this information?” Madeline asked.

  “Momentarily,” he replied, after which he whispered a few words to Gavin. The crow flew away, disappearing into the far chamber and then slipping back out of the mountain’s side. Vellan then eyed Nicholas and Leo with a smile that troubled them both. “The two of you will be especially interested in what I have to say.”

  “Don’t keep us in suspense,” Nicholas replied with a brave face, though deep down he felt troubled by the wizard’s look of smug satisfaction.

  “It seems that King Justin has found himself in an awkward situation. He is a prisoner in the Del Norác garrison.” Nicholas and Leo grew pale, fearing the worst. “But don’t worry. He is unharmed–for now. And if things play out as I hope, the good King will soon be my guest here in Minakaris where he will face the appropriate judgment for his part in the destruction of my dear departed Enâri.”

  Caldurian looked at his fellow wizard, hoping to mask his deep concern with an air of practicality. “Aren’t you taking a risk by having him transported here, Vellan? Your troops will have to guide King Justin through a horde of enemy soldiers amassing outside the garrison, through the city itself, and then finally to the front gates of this mountain. It’s possible he may be rescued during that process. Better to keep the King safely inside the garrison until we achieve victory. Dole out a proper punishment afterward.”

  Vellan shook his head as he clutched both hands on his oak staff. “There is also a possibility, however slim, that we may not win this battle. I must be bold. I won’t postpone the chance to confront King Justin while I can. I’ve dispatched Gavin back to the garrison with orders to send the monarch here as soon as possible.”

  “As you wish,” Caldurian calmly replied, though his thoughts spun chaotically. He knew he must act swiftly before Vellan complicated matters by bringing King Justin to the stronghold where the monarch’s life would be subject to the wizard’s volatile mood. A dead or dying King would not serve his purposes at all. With a casual air, Caldurian pointed toward the far end of the corridor. “Shall we proceed? Supper will be cold if we dawdle any further,” he said, continuing along the passage at Madeline’s side. As they neared the kitchen, Caldurian inhaled deeply and glanced over his shoulder, smiling pleasantly at Vellan. “Mmmm, lamb stew with apples and onions. One of your favorites,” he added as their shadows wavered erratically upon the walls.

  The last chamber on the left housed Vellan’s private kitchen and dining quarters. As they passed through an archway, Nicholas and Leo found the atmosphere warm and pleasant. The room had a blazing fireplace built into the walls on either side, the one to the left used to drive away the chills inside Minakaris while the larger one on the right was equipped for cooking. Small open semicircular ovens were built into the sides for baking bread and the like, and piles of dry firewood had been neatly stacked on either side. Several elegantly crafted counters and shelves were built around the room, and in the middle stood a polished oak table with chairs, its burnished surface reflecting an array of flickering candles arranged in the center. A door on the right wall led to a large, well-stocked pantry where several rop
e-and-pulley operated dumbwaiters were used to haul up food and supplies from the lower levels.

  After they entered the room, a short man with thinning black hair and a goatee bounded out of the pantry. He carried a wedge of cheese and a small stone vessel filled with dried tea leaves which he set on one of the counters. A white towel was tucked behind his leather belt as an apron of sorts. He stirred a pot of bubbling stew hanging over the fire as a nearby kettle of water steamed ghostly tendrils out of its spout. Finally, he turned around and glanced at the new arrivals with a flash of annoyed impatience.

  “If the lamb is overdone, don’t blame me!” Mune said crossly. “If I’m forced to be everyone’s cook and plate washer, at least you can show up on time for meals.” He ripped the towel out of his belt and patted his brow, noticing with an exasperated sigh the pair of new faces standing with Madeline and the two wizards. “And you’ve brought guests, so I suppose I’ll have to put out extra settings. Luckily I’ve made a large pot.” He trudged over to the others as they lingered near the archway. “So who have we here?”

  “Two individuals whose names you are probably familiar with,” Vellan said.

  “Though in a disapproving sort of way,” Madeline added as she placed the daggers she had confiscated upon the fireplace mantel. “Meet Nicholas Raven and Leo Marsh, two prickly nettles who’ve fouled up some of our fine plans.”

  “Nicholas Raven? Leo Marsh? So at last we meet,” Mune said as he studied their faces. But before he could inquire how they ended up in Mount Minakaris, his mouth went agape. He cast a second, longer glance at Leo and took an unsteady step backward.

  “You?” he shouted with stunned amazement. “You’re Leo Marsh? The one who–” He threw his hands up as his companions curiously looked on. “How’d you get here?”

  “I'll question them soon,” Vellan said. “No need to get so worked up.”