“Be silent, girl!” one of the soldiers ordered as he grabbed hold of her with both his arms and pulled her back. The second man unsheathed a sword and stepped forward, staring smugly at Nicholas.
“You don’t look like a soldier,” he remarked with a grunt.
“But I’ve been trained by some of the best,” Nicholas said, advancing another step.
“Prove it!” The man rushed at him with a sharp blade slicing through the air.
“Look out!” Ivy cried as she fought to break away from the other soldier. But her struggle was to no avail as his strength far outmatched her own.
Nicholas met his attacker with a hardened gaze. They battled along the dirt road, their clattering swords echoing sharply through the trees and off the stone wall as Ivy watched with helpless horror. As Nicholas countered each swipe of the enemy’s blade, he recalled his intensive training outside the Blue Citadel and with Malek’s men during their long winter in the woods, grateful he had taken the time to properly absorb the lessons.
“Not bad,” the soldier begrudgingly remarked as he stepped back for a moment, breathing heavily. “Perhaps you did learn a thing or two from those others.”
“I was a quick study,” Nicholas said as his foe again rushed at him, each repelling the other’s strokes. But when their blades touched on a particularly forceful collision, Nicholas turned slightly to one side upon impact and left his opponent a brief opening. Suddenly he felt the tip of cold steel rip through the clothing on his upper left arm and graze his skin with a stinging bite. He flinched and backed away, gripping his arm.
“You may be a quick study, but humility wasn’t one of the lessons!” The soldier leaped up on the stone wall and displayed a triumphant smile.
Nicholas, breathing heavily as he wiped a sleeve across his brow, looked up and shook his head. “Nor was overconfidence, which you seem to be swimming in.”
“Are you all right, Nicholas?” Ivy called out.
“I’m fine,” he said, glancing her way. “Just give me a moment to finish him off,” he added with an uncertain smile before climbing onto the wall and raising his sword, eyeing his foe with disdain. “My blade is just as sharp up here.”
“And mine is just as swift,” the soldier replied, advancing along the low barrier about the width of his shoulders. The clash of metal swords again rang through the trees.
Nicholas, though, found himself at a disadvantage as he carefully maneuvered each step backward along the wall, glancing at his feet to prevent a fall down the slope to his right. But as the soldier pressed forward, Nicholas noticed in the fading light that one of the surface rocks a few yards behind the man appeared to be loose, the mortar around it having cracked during the frost upheavals of many harsh winters. But every swing of the enemy’s weapon pushed Nicholas a step in the opposite direction of the loose rock as the length of wall behind him rapidly disappeared. The hilts of their swords finally crossed with a clang and they glared at each other nose to nose.
“Surrendering in the face of defeat is an honorable option,” the soldier remarked.
“Then surrender,” Nicholas replied before they pulled back their weapons and again took to the fight.
“Never!” he replied, expertly swinging his sword in an upward arc and grazing Nicholas’ left arm in the same spot as before. He leapt backward a few feet atop the wall and gazed at Nicholas’ astonished expression. “I’ve only been playing with you up until now. Rest assured that my third hit will be the last one you’ll ever feel.”
Nicholas grimaced while clutching his arm, his face sweaty and pale. He wondered if the soldier from Kargoth was speaking the inevitable truth. Yet by leaping back, the man had left more space between them which Nicholas knew he had only a moment to use to his advantage. After glancing at Ivy for support, he charged forward with his weapon raised, catching his opponent momentarily off guard. But the soldier easily repelled each one of Nicholas’ sword strikes as he nimbly stepped farther backward along the wall, not intimidated by the change in momentum.
“It would be unsporting of me not to give you at least one moment to shine in this duel,” he said as they moved like shadows across the wall, their metal blades clattering in the twilight. “So enjoy it, as it will be a brief one only.”
“You now speak without the humility you claim to value,” Nicholas said.
“Ah, but a victor doesn’t need humility when he is about to stand over the bloodied corpse of his enemy,” the soldier replied, once again repelling Nicholas’ blade and raising his sword high for what he knew would be a final and fatal strike.
But just as he was about to bring his blade crashing down upon Nicholas, the stone beneath the heel of his left boot suddenly gave way, causing him to lose balance and teeter on the edge of the wall as his bodyweight shifted. The soldier, swinging his arms wildly in the air as he tried to steady himself, saw the point of Nicholas’ sword zeroing in on him with deadly precision. He instinctively leaned back to avoid the hit, sending him further off balance until he tumbled over the wall with a harrowing cry and rolled down the steep embankment into the deepening gloom.
Nicholas, breathing heavily as he gripped his weapon, watched the man disappear before turning his attention to Ivy. He jumped off the wall and raced toward her and the second soldier.
“Let her go!” Nicholas cried as he neared them standing alongside the rushing stream, ready to fight the other man on the spot. Then he froze in his tracks.
“You might want to rethink that request,” the soldier replied as he held a dagger to Ivy’s throat. “Otherwise someone might get hurt.”
Nicholas looked worriedly at Ivy as he gripped his sword, unsure how to save her.
“Nicholas,” she whispered helplessly.
“Ivy,” he replied, the word barely leaving his lips.
“Are you going to let us continue down the mountain in peace?” the soldier asked. “Or will more blood be spilled?” Nicholas gazed upon the woman he loved as fiery anger burned inside him, yet he was no nearer to a solution as the seconds slipped by. “Answer me!” the man shouted. “What are you going to do?”
As Nicholas was about to reply, a light tremor rumbled through the ground, jarring the pristine landscape for several unsettling seconds. Soon an eerie silence engulfed them. Everyone looked at one another with puzzled concern, feeling as if the mountain had sprung to life and fearing the worst. For a few moments, all stood frozen in uncertainty.
CHAPTER 111
Moonlight and Mist
Caldurian stood on the balcony built into the southern slope of Mount Minakaris, already feeling like the ruler of Kargoth. He was mesmerized by the stunning view while awaiting Gavin’s hoped for return. To his left, the brilliant rims of the full Fox and Bear moons ascended above the eastern snowcapped mountains. To his right, the sun had just set between gaps in the stately western peaks. Directly ahead, Del Norác appeared silent, though battles still raged among its streets and fields and along the Drusala River. Far below lay the maze of rooftops and spires of Vellan’s stronghold constructed at the foot of the mountain. Caldurian was eager to control the forces stationed inside once he secured a deal with King Justin to end the war, hoping he had acted quickly enough.
He noted a black speck moving through the air far away above the city, but it swiftly closed in on him. Moments later, Gavin landed like a dark shadow on the balcony railing and cawed sharply.
“What are you doing here?” the crow asked suspiciously.
“Awaiting your arrival,” Caldurian replied.
“Where is the true wizard of Mount Minakaris?” Gavin made no effort to hide his shock that Caldurian was standing on one of Vellan’s favorite spots. “I’ve never talked to anybody at this location except Vellan himself. What mischief is afoot?”
“Mischief? You read too much into this encounter. I am only here to learn if King Justin is being brought to the stronghold.”
Gavin bobbed along the railing, eyeing Caldurian with mild dis
trust. “So Vellan has made you privy to his plan?”
“Of course he did! Though we’ve had our differences of late, I’m still a valued member of his inner circle,” he said, resentful for having to justify his actions to a crow. “Vellan wants to know when the King will arrive, and the sooner, the better.”
“Unfortunately, it will be a long wait. I saw an injured King Justin being rescued a short while ago in the apple orchard. Many of Vellan’s soldiers were killed in the adjoining field. Soon afterward, King Cedric and the wizard Tolapari led a contingent on horseback to the east field, though I do not know the result of that foray.”
Caldurian shook his head, visibly disappointed. “That is not the news I wished to hear, Gavin, but I may yet salvage a victory now that you’ve arrived. You must take a message to King Justin for me at once. It is of the utmost importance.”
“For you?” the crow asked, his suspicion again rising.
“For Vellan!” he clarified with growing frustration. “I am implementing his orders, of course, and wish you would follow them without question.”
“I do!” Gavin said, snapping his beak. “But I have always taken my direct orders from Vellan from Vellan. Where is he?”
“Busy! Now just listen to the message I want you to deliver.”
The crow glared loathingly at Caldurian and flapped its wings, causing the wizard to flinch. “Before I take flight again, I demand to know where Vellan is and why you seem to have taken charge.”
Caldurian breathed deeply to control his temper. “I am giving orders as Vellan has temporarily transferred rule of Kargoth to me.”
“What nonsensical rubbish is this, wizard? Where is Vellan?”
“All you need to know is that–”
“Where is he, Caldurian? Tell me or I will find him myself!”
“I forbid you to do any such thing!” he ordered, shaking his fist. If Gavin ever found Vellan unconscious upon the floor, the wizard feared that his plan would disintegrate. He was certain that the bird would accuse him of the villainous act.
Sensing that Caldurian was lying, Gavin squawked with derision and flew off, skirting the mountain to the west while ignoring Caldurian’s angry shouts to return. Soon the crow reached the stone terrace on the southwest slope, its door still ajar. He passed through into Vellan’s private room, dismayed to find it empty, and then flew down the adjoining corridor, wondering if the wizard was still eating his supper. But when the crow entered the kitchen chamber bathed in the glow of the fireplaces, he immediately spotted Vellan’s lifeless body sprawled upon the floor. Gavin perched on the nearby table and looked down at the cold corpse, shaken with horror when eyeing the large blood stain soaking through the garments over his chest.
“What has he done to you?” the crow sputtered, assuming that Caldurian had killed the wizard of Mount Minakaris. “How could he betray you like this?”
But having been well versed by Vellan in some wizarding lore, Gavin quickly realized that he couldn’t possibly be dead as his body still retained its corporeal form. Retaining a flicker of hope that he might yet be alive, the crow alighted upon Vellan’s shoulder and gazed upon his pale face. But unable to detect the slightest rise or fall of the wizard’s chest, he bobbed his head anxiously, at a loss as to why Vellan’s body still remained whole even in death. He let loose a series of loud, desperate caws, trying to revive the corpse though knowing that it was a vain effort.
“Vellan!” he called, gingerly stepping along the body. “Wake up!” Gavin suddenly stopped, frozen in place for several astonished moments as faint mist slowly began to rise from the wizard’s body. It enveloped the bird’s ebony feathers like ghostly tendrils of fog drifting off the surface of a lake on a cold, autumn morning.
At that same moment four levels below, Carmella and Mune guided a weakened Leo through the short tunnel leading to the southeast exit. The spirit of Frist, working through the amulet around Leo’s neck, could no longer hold back Vellan’s inevitable fate and relinquished its hold, at last allowing the wizard’s imprisoned spirit to escape like a caged, angry beast breaking through its confines. As the trio passed through the door and stepped outside the mountain, the white mist rising from Vellan’s corpse intensified. The wizard’s body grew more tenuous, weakening and withering away like a fragile bubble of soap. Gavin, his talons sinking into the collapsing garments, flapped its wings and ascended to the tabletop. He looked down upon the body, realizing with horror what was happening and knowing that the mountain interior would not be a safe place to remain.
“My condolences, wise one. But a dangerous mist rises, so I must be off!” Gavin punctuated his words with a powerful squawk before flying through the archway and into the curving corridor.
As Vellan’s corpse disintegrated into a voluminous and roiling mist, Gavin sped down the passageway, his fleeting shadow painting the wall in a wild blur. He passed through the west chamber and then burst through the mountainside doorway into the cool evening air. He tore back around the mountain to the balcony on the southern face. There he again perched upon the stone railing, much to Caldurian’s surprise.
“I didn’t expect you back,” the wizard said, noting the crow’s agitated state.
“You killed him!” he cried, flapping his wings as he jumped at Caldurian. “How could you, traitor?”
“What are you talking about?” Caldurian slapped the air to keep Gavin at bay. “Vellan is not dead, you fool, but only asleep. I drugged his stew with rasaweed!”
Gavin settled down on the railing, glaring at the wizard. “He’s dead, I tell you. I stood next to the bloody stab wound in his chest!”
“Stab wound?” Caldurian’s hands began to shake as the color drained from his face. “What dreadful news is this?”
Gavin, realizing that Caldurian was unaware of the wizard’s death, tightly folded his wings and dug his claws into the stone. “What I saw only moments ago was white mist rising from Vellan’s body–and we both know what that means!”
“White mist?” Caldurian’s mouth was agape. He placed a hand to his chin as he slowly shook his head. “But how?”
A slight tremor then coursed through the mountainside, forcing Caldurian to grab onto the railing to steady himself. Gavin flapped his wings and rose into the air before settling back down when the quaking stopped.
“What was that?” he asked, though suspecting the answer.
“I’m afraid that Vellan is no more,” Caldurian whispered in grave tones. Moments later, a second, stronger tremor rattled the mountainside, throwing him onto the balcony floor where he lay immobilized until the shaking finally stopped. He slowly rose to his hands and knees, wincing in pain as he looked up at Gavin, his eyes filled with fear. “What happened, my friend? Where have I gone wrong in my calculations?”
“I care about neither of those questions,” Gavin replied with a skittish flap of his wings. “All I know is that my place is no longer upon this mountainside. And if you had any sense, you would take your leave as well. Goodbye, Caldurian!” He flew off, sailing into the silvery twilight like a leaf caught in a breeze.
“Gavin, wait!” he shouted, slapping his hands upon the railing while still on his knees. He brushed aside the iron gray locks dangling in front of his eyes.
The wizard gazed into the silent void before him, his thoughts twisting. He then noted a subtle sound that caught his ear like a sharp, distant call in a restless dream. He turned his head to the right, noting a blot of slushy snow that had fallen to the floor with a dull splat. The wizard furrowed his brow, confused as to where the snow had come from until a second, larger globule hit the railing close by, the resulting spray of water splattering his face and causing him to jump to his feet.
“What’s going on?” he muttered, not grasping the full extent of the situation as a sharp crack rippled through the face of the mountainside far above like a thunderclap. Caldurian spun around with his back to the railing, spooked by the intimidating sound. He cast his eyes up the side of Mou
nt Minakaris, his heart beating wildly. “What is that?” he asked as if both expecting and fearing the answer from above. And then he received it.
All at once near the summit, layers of weighty snow, ice and rock separated from the weakened face and began sliding down the steep, southern slope in a single roaring mass, grinding out a vast pathway down the center of the mountain with breathtaking force and speed. Caldurian heard the ear-shattering sound before he saw what was happening. Ice chips and tiny pebbles rolled off the mountainside and rained onto the balcony at his feet, oddly amusing him when he glanced at the bits of debris clattering musically upon the stone surface. Then the truth struck him like an arrow as he looked up. The roar of the descending ice and rock echoed so loudly in his ears that he couldn’t hear himself contemplating his final seconds of life while watching the mist-and-dust enveloped avalanche roar at him head-on like a hard wave and erase him instantly as it continued on its wild descent, gouging through rock, trees and streams while gathering strength, until finally crushing, collapsing and burying Vellan’s stronghold at the mountain’s base and leaving behind a vast pile of muddy, dusty debris towering higher than the surrounding pines that hadn’t snapped or toppled in the deadly strike. When the dust cloud eventually settled, a deep, wide scar ran all the way down the southern slope of Mount Minakaris, highlighted in the lustrous glow of the rising dual moons and visible to all for miles around like a fatal gash that had at last taken down a fabled and deadly beast.
Moments earlier, Eucádus struggled to breathe as Ranen tightened his grasp around his neck as they fought on the central bridge. He had Eucádus pinned against the western railing, ready to kill his former friend without regret since he would not join Vellan’s side. But as Eucádus grew lightheaded, a slight tremor rolled through the region and shook the bridge as if it had been built upon sand, catching both men by surprise. Ranen loosened his grip just enough in the commotion, allowing Eucádus an energizing breath of air. With his back still pressed over the railing, he grabbed Ranen’s injured wrist and dug his thumb into the sword wound until he howled in pain and leapt backward. Eucádus jumped up, ready to retaliate as a flood of rage and betrayal coursed through him. But as he glanced over Ranen’s shoulder, a tranquil smile slowly crossed his face when seeing the brilliant edges of the full Fox and Bear moons inching above the eastern mountaintops.
Nicholas Raven and the Wizards' Web (The Complete Epic Fantasy) Page 179