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

by Thomas J. Prestopnik

  As he listened, unable to say a word, Nicholas wondered if he would ever get out of the inn, thinking that maybe he should have gone directly to the lockup instead. But he wanted news of his reappearance and impending trial to spread through Kanesbury like wildfire, and stopping here first would do just that. He needed to make sure a trial was inevitable if his plan was to succeed, hoping to put the unsuspecting Mayor Farnsworth on trail at the same time.

  But just as he was feeling overwhelmed by all the attention, the front door opened. Constable Brindle strode into the room, cane in hand, with his deputy, Tyler Harkin, close behind. Lurking in back with muted glee was Bob Hawkins who had raced to fetch the constable, more interested in creating an entertaining spectacle than a desire for justice. Regardless, Nicholas was glad to see Clay Brindle, though he greeted him with a façade of doubt and worry as the crowd went silent.

  “So it’s really you, Nicholas, and not just a figment of Bob’s pickled imagination,” the constable said, eliciting chuckles.

  “See, I told you he was here!” Bob excitedly pointed out as Deputy Harkin quieted him with a sour expression.

  “Clay, I was planning to visit you next,” Nicholas replied apologetically, glancing curiously at the constable’s cane. “What happened to you?”

  “Long story,” he replied. “But I want to hear yours first.”

  “I intend to tell you everything,” Nicholas promised, detecting a hint of disappointment beneath Clay’s friendly exterior. “But first I wanted to speak with Maynard. I came here looking for him since he wasn’t at home. Now I’ve learned that he’s been missing for quite some time. Has anyone been searching for him?”

  “We can talk about that later as well,” Clay said, noting Bob Hawkins’ eyes widen with anticipation. “In private!” Bob frowned along with most of the others as the constable coldly stared them down. “This is a legal matter and will be treated as such. Nicholas, accompany me and Tyler to the lockup where we can talk.” He threw an extra sharp glance at Bob Hawkins for good measure.

  “All right,” Nicholas agreed, “though I hope one day soon to address everyone in public and explain my actions of last autumn. I’m not a thief or a murderer, and if it takes a trial to clear my name, I’ll happily comply.”

  “Good to hear,” Clay said. “But let’s talk first.” He, Nicholas and Tyler stepped outside the inn, but like a shadow, Bob Hawkins and several of the other men trailed behind them.

  “Now don’t go following us!” Deputy Harkin snarled. “This is an official matter.”

  “And these are public streets!” Hawkins insisted. “You can’t stop us from wandering up the lane in the same direction.”

  “Oh, let them follow,” Clay remarked with an exasperated sigh, wiping a handkerchief across his brow. He glowered at Bob and the others in the light of the doorway. “But get in my way and you’ll be guests in one of my cells. Are we clear?”

  When they arrived at the lockup, about twenty people had breathlessly followed them up the road. Others were congregating near the front steps and areas closeby, word having spread about Nicholas Raven’s sudden return. Nicholas appeared overwhelmed by their presence, but inside was delighted that Kanesbury was waking up to his reappearance. With so many people curious about his past whereabouts, he was confident that they would demand a quick trial if only to get to the bottom of the mystery regardless whether anyone thought him guilty or not.

  “Can we speak to him?” someone shouted from beneath the sprawling maple tree rising solemnly between the lockup and the village hall.

  “No you cannot!” Clay shouted. He and his deputy hurried Nicholas up the stairs and inside the shadowy entryway of the lockup, closing the door behind them.

  “Like a gaggle of nosey geese!” Deputy Harkin sputtered. “Don’t they have anything better to do this evening? I’d like to–” Suddenly the front door reopened. A steady chorus of voices from outdoors flowed into the entryway as a tall figure stepped inside before hastily shutting the door.

  “Didn’t I say no one was to come in here?” Constable Brindle fumed as he angrily turned to greet the intruder. “I’ll put a guard outdoors if I–” He quickly caught himself when Zachary Farnsworth stepped through the shadows into the light from the main room. “Oh, it’s you,” he said apologetically. “Mayor Farnsworth, what brings you here?”

  “He does,” he replied, pointing at Nicholas as he unbuttoned his coat and hung it on a wall peg. “I’d been working late in the banking house when word of his arrival reached my ears. When I saw the crowd, I correctly assumed you were all on your way here.”

  Nicholas tilted his head slightly, appearing a bit bewildered. “Mayor Farnsworth? I don’t understand. Otto Nibbs is no longer our mayor?”

  “You’ve been gone far too long,” the constable said. He led everyone into the main room where a blaze snapped in the fireplace. “It’s a long story, but Otto is sitting in one of the lockups in back. And Maynard, who has been missing as you heard at the inn, served as acting mayor until he departed for Morrenwood months ago.”

  “Mr. Farnsworth now serves in that capacity,” Deputy Harkin said.

  “A role I took on reluctantly after some turbulent days in Kanesbury,” Farnsworth replied with an air of weariness. “But we can discuss those particulars later. Your reappearance is what the village is buzzing about.”

  Constable Brindle shot a stern look at his deputy. “Tyler, please leave Zachary and me alone for a few minutes so we can talk to Nicholas in private. Keep an eye on the crowd and make sure we’re not disturbed.”

  “Certainly, sir,” he said with a trace of disappointment.

  As Tyler left the room, the constable offered Nicholas a chair in front of his desk while he sat down behind it, setting his cane to one side. Farnsworth stood near the fireplace, the flickering light casting a coppery glow upon his face.

  “Nicholas, I’ll get right to the point. It’s been eight months since you left,” Clay said matter-of-factly. “Where have you been?”

  Nicholas leaned back in his chair. “I wish I could say I had been leading a life of adventure,” he replied, his eyes cast downward from time to time, “but I was just going from job to job where I could find one, scratching out an existence. I worked on a few farms here and there, and in late winter I helped collect and boil sap in an old sugarhouse in Bonner County. Nothing exciting, but I survived and had some time to think.” He looked up with regret. “A lot of time.”

  “Well, I’m glad it brought you to your senses about coming back and facing the mess you’d left here,” Clay said. “Though all of that was nothing compared to the chaos Caldurian rained down upon us in your absence.”

  “Yes, someone at the inn mentioned that the wizard had been here,” he said. “What happened? And why did Maynard travel to Morrenwood?”

  “To alert King Justin of the wizard’s presence,” Farnsworth stated, leaning against the mantelpiece.

  Though he wasn’t eager to talk about Caldurian since his secret dealings with the wizard weighed heavily upon his mind, Farnsworth thought it best to attack the subject head on, knowing that avoiding the topic might raise subtle suspicions. He also wondered why Nicholas made no mention of having gone to Morrenwood, meeting King Justin and taking part in the quest to reforge the key. Dooley had told him about Nicholas’ surprise appearance at the Blue Citadel, but Farnsworth couldn’t reveal such information without implicating himself to a long list of crimes against the kingdom. But why wouldn’t Nicholas speak of those deeds? Out of modesty? Or did he plan to reveal all at a public trial to build up sympathy for himself? Whatever his reason, Farnsworth felt confident that Nicholas couldn’t connect him to Dooley and Arthur’s actions against him during the Harvest Festival, nor should he have any reason to suspect him in the first place. He would hear him out further before making any decisions.

  “Maynard wanted to speak to the King after Caldurian and his Island soldiers had slipped away in the dead of night,” Farnswo
rth continued. “Sadly, he hasn’t been heard from since his departure over five months ago.”

  “Is anyone searching for him?” Nicholas asked with alarm.

  “Yes, but to no avail. I wish I had good news to report.”

  “As do I,” Clay added. At Nicholas’ urging, the constable explained all that took place in Kanesbury since the Harvest Festival. He listened with the same fascination and horror as when Katherine first told him those same stories four nights ago in the ice cellar.

  “I have to go and find him!” Nicholas said frantically, jumping up. He looked at Zachary and the constable and let his emotions settle as he slowly dropped back into his seat. “But I suppose I must deal with matters here first.” He shook his head. “I wish I had never run away that night, Clay. It was a poor decision on my part.”

  “It was, but I understand how the fear of seeing your world falling apart had prompted you to take off like a jackrabbit into that field. Murder and robbery are heavy charges. And though I have no proof to the contrary, seeing you return to face judgment helps to convince me that you’re not guilty.”

  “Really?” Nicholas asked hopefully.

  Clay nodded sympathetically. “You see, Nicholas, after things settled down, I got to thinking about what had happened, as have many people. Those Enâri creatures were released from the caves on the same night Arthur Weeks was killed, the very night you were accused of robbery and murder. In hindsight, people found it difficult to believe those events were coincidental. Weeks later, Caldurian and his Island hooligans invaded our village, riling up folks and pitting one against the other. It was a horrible time.”

  “No doubt,” Nicholas said. “But what are you getting at?”

  Clay leaned back and folded his arms. “Though I don’t have any proof–especially since Arthur Weeks is dead and Dooley Kramer is missing–I can’t shrug off my suspicions that your misfortunes were connected to all the troubles brought about by that awful wizard. I’ve known you too many years to believe you’re capable of such horrific acts.”

  “Thanks, Clay,” he said. “I appreciate you saying so.”

  “And though I’ve only known you through your transactions on behalf of Ned Adams, Nicholas, I have to say the same about you as Clay just did.” Farnsworth spoke amiably, walking toward the desk and taking a nearby seat. “After listening to comments over the past weeks, many people have regrets about how the wizard had so easily manipulated them to turn against Otto. It was a confusing time, and to this day no one is exactly sure what happened, or why. But the worst was brought out in the citizens of Kanesbury by a great deceiver. And as Constable Brindle stated, perhaps you were swept up in that wizard’s devious plan.”

  Nicholas offered the acting mayor a grateful smile. “You don’t know how good it makes me feel to hear you say that, sir. My thoughts have been jumbled lately, not understanding any of what had happened to me nor able to disprove it to the rest of Kanesbury. But I must be allowed to try, which is why I’m requesting a trial to plead my case and perhaps gain the forgiveness of my fellow villagers.”

  “It would be good to have someone back on Maynard’s farm to make it productive again,” Clay told him.

  “I’d like nothing better. But if I’m set free, it would be my duty to search for Maynard no matter how hopeless the cause. He’s family, after all. I owe it to him.”

  “That’s commendable,” Farnsworth said, warming up to the idea that a trial clearing Nicholas of all charges might play to his advantage.

  As Nicholas spoke, Farnsworth wondered if testifying in the young man’s favor might endear himself to the public. Most people seemed to be on Nicholas’ side after putting events and emotions in perspective. But that didn’t solve the Otto Nibbs debacle that prevented Farnsworth from fully enjoying the fruits of his labors. Until the situation was resolved, there was a chance that Katherine Durant would connect him to the wizard’s schemes whether she had proof or not. It irked him not knowing the location of Maynard Kurtz and Adelaide Cooper. He was convinced that Katherine had helped them escape from the swamp. But even with hired hands to keep a close eye on her, Farnsworth knew he could only hold her at bay for so long before she’d grow brave enough to move against him. And now that Nicholas had returned, people would be scrutinizing details from the past. Rumors and accusations, once leveled, could quickly overwhelm and destroy him. He needed to get out in front and manipulate the public’s perception to protect himself before the truth unraveled his web of deceit. But how?

  “And so, Mr. Mayor, I leave my fate in your hands,” Nicholas concluded as Farnsworth nodded sympathetically at his request for a quick trial.

  “Don’t give me credit for having that much sway over people,” Farnsworth replied. “And just because Constable Brindle and I support you, it will be the decision of a jury as to whether or not you are set free,” he warned. “Fifteen out of twenty-one of your fellow villagers will have your fate in their hands, not me. You may be eager to put this affair behind you, but think through about how fast you really want to proceed.”

  “I’ve done my fair share of thinking. More than was probably good for me. So the sooner I can get this trial behind me, the happier I’ll be.”

  “Unless you’re found guilty,” Constable Brindle cautioned, his words punctuated by a furrowed brow above his dark eyes and apple red cheeks. “And though I’ll be in charge of presenting the case against you, I promise to be fair yet meticulous. I have no evidence to support your claim of innocence other than your own word since no one has come forward in your defense.”

  “On the other hand,” Farnsworth said, “Mr. Raven has neither Arthur Weeks nor Dooley Kramer to testify against him, one being dead and the other missing.” He eyed Nicholas with a steely gaze. “It will essentially be a judgment on your character, sir.”

  “Well,” Nicholas replied as he shifted anxiously in his seat, “most people in Kanesbury seem to have found me a decent person–or so I’ve always thought,” he said, sprouting a nervous grin. “But I suppose we’ll find out for certain very soon.”

  “We shall, so tailor your words accordingly,” Farnsworth said, confident that Nicholas now viewed him with a heightened sense of respect and admiration for being so cooperative. At the same time, he was privately amused at reaping the praises from this naïve, young man whose downfall he had secretly engineered. He wished Katherine Durant had been as easily fooled, though he still wasn’t certain what facts she actually knew about his corrupt ways. It was that lack of knowledge which gnawed at him. “Clay, would a week be enough time for you to ready a trial?”

  “More than enough time.” He looked sadly at Nicholas. “I don’t relish this task and will be glad when it’s over.”

  “Very well,” Farnsworth said. “Today is the tenth day of the month. Let’s plan for one week from tonight, the nineteenth of Old Spring. That will give us time to select a jury. In the meantime…” He lifted his eyes uncomfortably to the constable who immediately understood his meaning.

  “In the meantime,” Clay continued, staring at Nicholas with a heavy heart, “you’ll have to stay here in the lockup. There’s one cell available as Otto has made the other one his home for far too long.”

  “I understand,” Nicholas said without hard feelings. “I had expected to spend my first night back in Kanesbury in this building.”

  “Deputy Harkin is here until midnight when his relief shows up. I’ll send him off to secure any items you want from your cottage while I ink up the parchment and make this case all nice and legal.”

  “Thanks, Clay.” Nicholas stood and shook his hand. “And I apologize again for running off. I should have trusted you.” Clay Brindle nodded appreciatively. Nicholas turned and extended his hand to Zachary Farnsworth as he rose from his chair. “And thank you, Mr. Mayor, for your understanding and assistance, though I’m not sure I deserve it.”

  Farnsworth shook his hand as if they were old friends. “Happy to oblige, Nicholas. I’ve heard enough g
ood things about you to know that this is the right way to proceed.”

  “That’s more than fair,” he said. “And though I’m saddened that Otto and Maynard have succumbed to misfortune, I’m certain the mayor’s office is in good hands. You’re a credit to the position, Mr. Farnsworth.”

  “I try,” he replied with a modest shrug. “Now I’ll leave Clay and his deputy to attend to things here. With patience, the next nine days should pass swiftly, Mr. Raven.”

  “A visitor or two might help with that,” Clay suggested. “As Otto’s sister and niece stop by here often enough, maybe they’d like to call on you, too.”

  Farnsworth, feigning indifference, felt his heart beat rapidly at the prospect of Nicholas and Katherine meeting. Though not certain what specifics Katherine knew of his dark deeds, he knew nothing good could come from those two discussing past events. He feared that innocent details of their conversation could inadvertently be connected and pieces of the puzzle put in place should they start questioning one another.

  Nicholas, guessing that Farnsworth might be thinking along such lines, knew he must quickly dispel any fears on his part in order for a trial to proceed unhindered. “Yes, about that, Clay,” he replied. “If anyone should show up in the next week to see me, let them politely know that I don’t wish to have any visitors as I’m preparing for my defense. Especially Katherine Durant. I think it’s best I be left alone from any distractions.”

  “Are you sure?” Clay asked, wrinkling his brow in confusion.

  Nicholas nodded. “I’m a bit embarrassed to say, but I had promised to take Katherine to the village dance with me during the Harvest Festival. Then I ran off because of all the commotion, leaving her without an escort or an explanation as to why, just a few days before the dance.” He smiled grimly. “To tell you the truth, I don’t think that she would want to talk to me after how I behaved. And if she did, I imagine it would only be to scold me. So please, if you don’t mind, I’d rather be left alone.”