Seeker of Magic

by Susanne L. Lambdin

  Rook lifted Wren’s head, and her eyes opened. She took the cup from him and sipped on it, shuddering as the hot tea flowed down her throat. Taliesin’s attention returned to Roland, a man of many secrets; so many her head was spinning, and she felt like drinking her own cup of tea to clear her confusion. A King’s man. What did that mean? Zarnoc turned on Hawk, a stern look on his face as if he were a father about to scold a disobedient child.

  “A selfish man such as you never noticed this girl suffers from terrible headaches as a result of her gift of sight,” Zarnoc said. “You have the empathy of a vulture. But Rook knows Wren suffers when she dreams. He knows far more than you, Master Hawk, and I know a great deal more. If you ever lay hands upon me again, I’ll tell them every secret you’ve ever had, and we’ll see then what your friends think about you.”

  “What you said earlier,” Taliesin interjected, “about Roland...is this true?”

  Zarnoc nodded and pointed at the tall man. “This is Sir Roland of the Fregian Order of the White Stag. Fortunately, I see everything quite clearly. No one can fool me with their disguises. More important, Taliesin, you should ask why King Frederick sent Roland to Raven’s Nest, for I assure you, it was not only to win your trust.”

  “Why would you keep the truth from me?” Taliesin asked. She felt her temper rise when Roland refused to meet her gaze. “Those were Knights of the White Stag who died at Burnlak field. Duke Hrothgar’s knights. When I held Doomsayer, Jasper talked only about himself, but he should have told me who you really were. He was obviously protecting you, even in death.”

  “You’re mad at a dead man?” Hawk said. “All of us have secrets, Taliesin, this little shit of a wizard most of all, but you’re not angry at him. Roland has not done anything the rest of us haven’t. We’ve all come to the Raven Clan to hide from our past. What does it matter if he’s a knight as long as he helps us find Ringerike?”

  Taliesin waved him off. “Because Roland wants the sword for his precious King,” she said, too angry to cry or shout. Too disappointed to feel much of anything other than terribly abused. “All this time, I thought Grudge was a criminal; granted, a criminal with good manners, but a man wanted by the law. I should have known a man with a fancy name like Roland was more than a thief. A King’s man, indeed.”

  “I did not lie to you, Taliesin. In truth, I did kill a knight at the very tourney King Frederick first saw me compete in,” Roland said, “and I did fight in the guise of another, not that it matters, but I did not exactly lie. I simply avoided telling you everything.” She snorted. “The king learned of you after reports came in about Duke Andre Rigelus’ sword, Traeden, being found by the Raven Clan. Even Lord Arundel suspected you were Mandrake’s daughter. His clan has kept an eye on you for years. It’s because Lord Arundel suggested to King Frederick you be brought to the palace that I was sent to Raven’s Nest to find you; only when I arrived, I didn’t count on falling...”

  “Spare me your emotions, Sir Roland,” Taliesin snapped. Her green eyes glinted with the hardness of stone. “What you did, what you do, is in the name of the king. But not my king, Sir Roland. Frederick Draconus’ ancestors killed the Raven King, stole our kingdom, and outlawed magic. His son, Prince Sertorius, has sent the Wolf Clan to hunt me. For all I know, the great lord you serve gave the order to murder my real father. There’s the door. Why don’t you leave, Grudge?”

  “Don’t tell me what to do,” Roland growled.

  Zarnoc clapped his hands three times. His dirty robe turned into a long, flowing robe of dark purple, embroidered with silver stars, gold suns, and tiny red stars, and a conical wizard’s hat appeared on his head. His outfit was precisely what everyone imagined a wizard’s might be: ostentatious, flashy, and slightly ridiculous. “It’s the hat, isn’t it? Too much, right?” With a snort, the embroidery vanished, the sleeves shrank until they ended at his wrist, and his hat diminished to the size of a hunter’s cap. Scruffy and well-worn boots appeared on his feet. “Much better,” he said, taking a seat. “Now you may continue, children.”

  “I have nothing more to say.” Taliesin walked over and sat on the stairs. She’d been made a fool, let her guard down, and trusted him, but he’d never touch her again. Never. If he’d been what he’d said, a criminal, a sworn Raven, they might have had a life together. But as things were now, she’d lost far more than a lover; she’d lost a lovely dream.

  Roland stood at the fire, his back to Taliesin. Hawk stood beside him. Wren stirred and Rook helped her to her feet.

  “How are you feeling, my dear?” Zarnoc asked. “Feeling better?”

  “I want Taliesin,” Wren said, in a soft voice. The girl turned and held out her hand. Unsure why she was selected to offer comfort, Taliesin came over, but Wren collapsed as she grasped for Taliesin’s hand. Taliesin caught and lifted the girl, pushing Rook aside, and looked for a comfortable place to lay Wren; her first thought was the bed upstairs.

  “Bring her here,” Zarnoc said.

  The wizard rose from his chair, moving faster than a normal man, and created a cot out of thin air that Taliesin placed the girl on. The wizard snapped his fingers and a plush pink blanket appeared over Wren, which he tucked around her.

  “What did you see, Wren?” Taliesin said. A horrible feeling had settled in the pit of her stomach. She took hold of the girl’s hand. “It’s all right. You can tell us.”

  “Our clan was captured by Wolfmen on the King’s highway.” Wren squeezed Taliesin’s hand as tears slide down her cheeks. “Master Osprey, Minerva, and Glabbrio were seated in the carriage, looking out the windows as the wolf pack surrounded them. Quail and the Black Wings fought them. The Eagles did not for they show loyalty to no one. Those who were not killed by the wolf pack were chained and dragged behind the wagons. Captain Wolfgar has taken them to see Master Lykus. They are to be given a choice; be turned into werewolves or be devoured by the Wolf Clan.” A visible tremble went through her body and she gasped. “I fear they will all be slain, Taliesin. But why didn’t the Eagles help them? Had they fought beside the Black Wing, they could have defeated Wolfgar’s men.”

  “I don’t know,” Taliesin said. “Perhaps Roland knows.” She gazed at the knight, seeing him as a stranger, not as her lover, but when he turned he wore a look of guilt that broke her heart. He’d known it would happen. He’d known, and said nothing.

  “Wolfgar isn’t going to Wolf’s Lair,” Wren said. “He’s taken a few of his men and he’s headed here with orders to kill Prince Sertorius, to kill us, and to kill anyone who searches for Ringerike. Chief Lykus wants the Raven Sword; he now has Doomsayer, but I cannot say whether he supports Prince Almaric. Everything went dark, so dark, and so cold.”

  “If they are coming here, then we need Sir Roland and the protection he offers,” Hawk said. “With so many against us, we dare not go against the king. Come. We should pack and leave at once.”

  “Cross the Volgate at night?” Roland shook his head. “Even with Zarnoc as our guide, it will be too dangerous. We should leave in the morning.”

  “Zarnoc? You will come with us?” Wren asked. “Now is not the time for us to quarrel or separate. Our family has grown smaller. Everyone here is needed. I have seen what will happen if Taliesin does not find Ringerike. It will be far worse than Burnlak. War will spread far and wide if the Raven Clan does not prevail.”

  “Family, you say? I am to be part of your family?” Zarnoc sounded delighted. “No more living off rabbits and snakes and bugs and birds. Ginger is a fine huntress, but a man does miss cheese, and that I can’t make out of thin air. Not the good stuff. Do not fret, little Wren. Of course, I shall come with you. And so shall Sir Roland. If Taliesin is going to find Ringerike, she will need all of our help.”

  A loud wolf howl rent the air, and everyone turned toward the door. Ginger hissed, jumped to the floor, and hid inside an overturned basket.

  “Wolfmen,” Taliesin said, drawing the silver sword. “They’re here.”

  * *
* * *

  Chapter Thirteen

  With the passing of the storm, vicious snarls and inhuman laughter echoed inside the tower of Pelekus. The volume was deafening, making it impossible to tell how many Wolfmen were outside the door.

  Taliesin held Wolf Killer in her right hand and listened as the horrific cacophony intensified. Zarnoc and Wren were gathering arrows and placing them on the small table. Roland, Hawk, and Rook wore their Black Wings heavy leather coats and black capes. They had gathered every piece of furniture in the lower level and barricaded the door.

  The only way in or out of the tower was through the main entry, which also meant there was no escape, except for running up the flight of stairs to the next level; even then, there was no place to hide. Taliesin and the three Raven men took defensive positions behind the barricade, but she wondered if werewolves could defy gravity and climb the walls of the tower, or if they could gain entry through the narrow windows. Hawk held both cutlasses, but a long bow and a quiver of silver-tipped arrows were within reach. Rook stood with his silver spear, and Roland held his double-edged axe and a dagger.

  “I hope you have something up your sleeve,” Hawk said. Zarnoc paced in front of the fire, holding onto a long staff. “Can’t you summon beetles to eat them? Or open a hole in the ground that will swallow them whole?

  “Stop badgering me. I’ll think of something,” Zarnoc said. He went to the table and stared at the yellow cat. “Time for you to grow up, Ginger. There is work to be done.”

  The cat jumped off the table and circled around his legs, making a perfect figure 8 as Zarnoc lifted the staff. But it was his sneeze that caused Ginger to grow as large as a lion, her color a bright yellow that matched the light coming from the end of the staff.

  “What are you going to do?” Taliesin asked. “What can you do, Zarnoc?”

  “Something amazing,” he replied. “Here it comes.”

  A whirlwind came from the staff, growing in size and speed as the magical current of energy circled around the tower, all the way to the roof. The horses remained calm, something Taliesin found extraordinary under the circumstances, and continued to munch on the grass growing from the dirt floor, not minding the spectacular show of light. Nor were they disturbed by the audible howls and snarls that filled the stone tower, or the fiery barricade that now lined the inner walls.

  Taliesin went to check on the horses, but bounced back as if she’d slammed into an invisible barrier. She reached out a hand and felt electricity in the air, confirming her suspicion Zarnoc had indeed raised a magical barrier to protect the horses and mule.

  “Come on, old man. Do the same for us!” Hawk shouted.

  With a wave of his hands, Zarnoc stood with a delighted look on his wrinkled face that disappeared the moment the whirlwind vanished with a pop, snap, and crack. The tower wall also vanished, leaving only a line in the dirt where it had once stood, and the horses bolted into the dark. Their whinnies of terror were drowned out by the snarls of the wolves that trailed after them.

  Hawk looked horrified. “Was this part of your plan?” he groaned. “You’ve left us all standing out in the open, you stupid, old gobbler!”

  Yellow eyes glared at Taliesin and her friends. She lifted her sword in both hands. Wren turned the table over and knelt behind it, holding a javelin with more laid beside her. The men remained behind the barricade but were exposed on all sides. With a shriek, Zarnoc turned and pulled his robe over his head, revealing skinny legs and dirty feet. Ginger remained in tiger form and stood before him, jaws opened wide and roared at the Wolfmen. Dark, hairy shapes leapt over the remains of the outer walls and appeared on top of big stone slabs as the enemy surrounded the Ravens, wizard, and big tiger. The giant wolves paced, maintaining their distance as Taliesin and her companions lifted their weapons, ready to fight the moment the Wolfmen’s leader gave the signal to attack.

  “Now would be the time to surrender,” a familiar deep voice said.

  Out of the dark stepped a man in full armor, a black cape, and a silver helmet shaped in the likeness of a wolf. Captain Wolfgar wore a longsword and carried a large double-edged axe on his back. Gauntlets with silver spikes covered his hands to mid-arm, and spikes protruded from the tips of his leather boots. As he lifted his hand, the wolves grew silent and sat on their haunches, eyes focused on the alpha male. Lifting his visor, he revealed a sharp face, glowing eyes, and long, blond hair tied behind his head.

  “Captain Grudge, you have led us on a fine and merry chase. I knew you’d come to the ruins,” Wolfgar said, drawing his sword. “In fact, I was counting on it.”

  “We have no intention of surrendering,” Roland said, anger in his voice. “How did you find the Black Rock Inn?”

  “It’s how I left it that’s more interesting.”

  “Shall we settle this as men?” Roland asked. “What do you say, Captain Wolfgar? Just you and me. A fight to the death. Winner takes all.”

  Wolfgar laughed. “But we aren’t men, Captain Grudge.” His eyes shimmered bright yellow. “But I will give you a chance to live. Come with us, Taliesin. We know you have the Deceiver’s Map. You shall lead us to the Cave of the Snake God, and we shall recover the Raven Sword. My master has need of it. Come with us, and your friends don’t have to die.”

  “Don’t trust him,” Roland said, turning toward her. “He has no intention of letting any of us leave here. If you go with him, I doubt you reach the cave as a human; he’ll turn you.”

  “I’ve no intention of going anywhere with him,” Taliesin said. “Nor with you.”

  “We are waiting, Captain Grudge.” Wolfgar pointed at the former tower. “I’ve already seen what that old wizard can do. He’s made it easy for us. Someone should have told you Zarnoc the Great lost his ability to use magic a long time ago, otherwise, we would have taken him prisoner days ago.” He pointed his sword at Rook. “I like this one’s look. What is your name, boy? Step forward and we will make you our brother.”

  “Rook isn’t interested in your offer,” Roland said.

  “Let him speak for himself. Well, boy?” Wolfgar smiled widely. “It takes only a few seconds to be turned. I’ll even let you eat the little blonde girl, or at least take the first bite.”

  Rook picked up his silver spear and shook his head, but he said not a word.

  “We know what your clan did to Master Osprey,” Taliesin shouted. “The only thing you’ll get from us is vengeance. My sword is silver, Captain Wolfgar, and it has magic. I’ve already killed ten of your scouts. Come no closer, or I’ll do to you what I did to them.”

  “Is that your final answer?” Wolfgar asked.

  “You heard her,” Roland growled. “No deal, flesh eater!”

  Wolfgar signaled the Wolfmen to rise. The wolves stood in unison. More emerged from the dark and joined their brothers, removing their armor and dropping their weapons to the ground. Each changed in appearance, becoming half-man and half-wolf. They stood seven feet tall on their hind legs, monsters of the night. A gut-wrenching howl came out of Wolfgar’s mouth, and he dropped his sword. His armor fell away and he tore off his helmet as his tall body morphed into a Wolfen. Drool dripped from his fangs, and his fingernails turned into claws. At his signal, the creatures circled the former tower and rushed the Raven Clan from all sides.

  Taliesin, Roland, and Rook swung their weapons, Hawk shot his bow, and Wren threw a javelin that connected with a large body. The big tiger pounced on a wolf, tackled it, and bit into its head.

  “Back I say,” Zarnoc shouted as he waved a rabbit’s foot.

  A strong gust of wind sent the Wolfmen tumbling away from the Ravens and tiger and scattered bodies across the yard. An enormous wall of yellow flames that rose fifty feet into the night sky appeared around the small group. Ginger paced, roaring like mad, as the Wolfmen clawed at the flames and tried to break through. Several caught fire and let out piercing screams as they ignited into fireballs and, unable to regenerate, were reduced to blackened lumps in seco
nds. More wolves charged the firewall from the backside. Taliesin and Roland turned and watched the predators fail at their attempt. The flame wall held, and despite all the snarls and growls, the Wolfmen were unable to break through.

  “Taliesin, duck,” the wizard cried.

  A ball of blue flame sailed over Taliesin’s head, passing through the firewall and slammed into a group of Wolfen. An explosion sent the monsters flying through the air, engulfed in blue flames, and with a loud poof, they turned into lumps of gray ash and crumbled to the ground. Two other creatures morphed into naked men, grabbed spears off the ground, and hurled them at Taliesin. The spears hit the flame wall and fell to the ground. Zarnoc let out a shout of delight and lobbed another fireball at Wolfgar, scattering the creatures.

  “Well done, Sir Wizard,” Roland said. “How long can you keep it up?”

  “At his age?” Hawk said, with a snort. “Not that long.”

  Rook, his cape billowing behind him like wings as he drew back his arm, prepared to hurl his spear at Wolfgar. He threw the spear and it slid through the flames, but a creature jumped in front of Wolfgar and dropped to the ground, taking the deathblow meant for its commander. Rook picked up the bow and started shooting arrows; he was the only one doing anything besides Zarnoc and his fireballs. Hawk ran to his sister and grabbed one of her silver-tipped javelins. Finding his target, he threw the javelin and struck a creature in the stomach. Wren stood and threw as well, hitting a monster as it galloped around the flames; it doubled over in pain. Hawk continued to throw silver javelins until he ran out and yanked his cutlasses out of the ground from where he’d stuck them.

  “I’m out of projectiles. They’ll have to get up close and personal for my blades to have any effect,” Hawk muttered as he glanced at the knight.