The Unwilling Accomplice (Book 5)

by Heidi Willard

  CHAPTER 20

  The company returned to the castle and Ned strode up to Ruth. "I thank you for the watch," he told her.

  "I am glad to be of help, but why did you wish me to remain outside the door? Is Fred well?" Ruth asked him.

  "Quite fine. I merely wished to avoid waking him," Ned replied. He opened the door only wide enough to squeeze through and closed it quickly behind him.

  Pat walked up to Ruth and frowned at the closed door. "What is this about guarding the door?"

  "Ned told me Fred sleepwalked last night, and he wished for the door to be watched in case Fred should exit that way," Ruth explained.

  "Sleepwalked? Fred has never sleepwalked before," Pat commented.

  Inside the room Ned glanced at the bed. Fred lay atop the covers bound in a brilliant light that wrapped ropes around his body. His eyes were open and his mouth was gagged with the ropes so only angry, muffled screams erupted from his lips. Beside the bed hovered Ned's staff, glowing with its power and the source of the light. Ned strode over and grasped his staff. The light disappeared and with it the tendrils.

  Fred sat up and glared at Ned. "Why couldn't you just stay here and watch me?" he growled.

  "There were other matters to attend to, and I didn't wish for you to escape out the window again," Ned commented.

  Fred jumped out of bed and rubbed his stiff muscles. "I could have come with you," he pointed out.

  "But you were not yet awake, and I wished for you to get as much sleep as possible," Ned countered.

  "I was awake after you wrapped me," Fred argued. He stretched and winced when his back cracked. "How did you do that trick, anyway? Having your staff stay here with its power on while you left?"

  Ned chuckled. "I see you haven't been practicing my final skill I showed you in the forests to the west of String," he scolded his apprentice.

  Fred shrugged and pointed at the two sticks in his waist. "I can't exactly do that with my staff," he reminded him.

  Ned waved aside Fred's reason. "Merely details, but seeing as you are awake we may as well join the others for the long day."

  "Have you told the others of what happened to me?" Fred asked him.

  Ned sighed and shook his head. "No, but if you wish them to be told then we can do so right now. I need only call them," he offered.

  Fred sat back down on the bed and nodded. "Yeah, they need to know," he insisted.

  Ned strode from the room and returned a few minutes later with their companions in tow. They gathered around the room and Ned stepped up beside Fred and put his hand on his apprentice's shoulder. "Fred wishes to inform you of important news," he announced to them.

  Fred sighed and stood. "I. . .I was controlled by Canavar last night," he explained. His companions faces showed looks of horror mixed with concern. Percy and Canto glanced at each other with furrowed brows.

  "Controlled how?" Pat asked him.

  "Through my soul. He took control of my body and led me down to a door in the hill on a lower terrace," Fred replied.

  "It was one of the entrances to the escape tunnels," Ned expanded upon.

  "So what are we gonna do about him now?" Canto spoke up, indicating Fred.

  "I will keep him by my side at all times. Should something like this occur again we will be ready for it," Ned assured them.

  "This is perhaps more serious than a single castor can handle," Percy protested.

  Pat frowned at him. "What are you saying?"

  "That perhaps Fred must be given into the care of the king. Their magic is powerful enough to keep Canavar physically at bay, why should they not keep his control over him in check?" Percy suggested.

  "That is unnecessary. Now that we know of Canavar's control any future trouble can be averted," Ned swore.

  Percy smiled and shrugged. "It was merely a suggestion, but since Ned has the situation once more under his control I suppose we should worry about Sins and the long day ahead of us."

  The long day strolled by in seconds and minutes, but at one hour before sundown the friends, Brother Birch, and a few invited elven guests gathered in Theowin's feasting hall for a small meal before the duel. Besides Birch's indifference and barely concealed disgust for the duel, the atmosphere among the gathered group was suppressed optimism. They all knew the consequence should Sins lose, and they would sorely miss their moody friend if Ransan were to treat the duel as a battle to the death. Their newest companion, Birch stood against a far wall partaking of nothing but water and scowling at the back of Ned's head. He was duly ignored by everyone else.

  Fred sat among his chatting friends in a subdued manner. He was quiet and had a slight headache from his sleepwalking adventure the night before. Pat noticed the strained lines in the corners of his eyes and seated herself beside him. She lowered her voice so no one would overhear her. "Is everything all right?" she asked him.

  "Yeah, just a little headache from-well, from last night," he told her.

  Any further conversation was interrupted when four pairs of trumpeters marched up the stairs on their far right, lined up in equal numbers on either side of the top of the steps, and blew their trumpets. The sound brought out the revelers inside the castle just as Ransan himself with his practicing assistant came up the steps. He was dressed every bit the foppish elvish dandy with baggy clothes and a heavy coat. At his waist was his rapier, and he swept off his large, floppy hat and bowed to the opposing company. Behind him was a large crowd of followers. They neither voted against nor for him. They were merely there to follow the groups to the Grounds and watch the spectacle.

  Ransan's eyes fell on Sins, and his stiff, bored voice hardly matched his words. "I greet you with all formality, my opponent, and demand the duel," he called to the assassin.

  Theowin stepped forward and turned so the groups stood on his left and right. He held up his hands for silence. "The duel parade shall now commence. Let us all to the grounds," he called to them.

  The crowd from the castle joined the one on the steps, and they parted for the combatants and their entourage. Sins and Ransan walked side-by-side down the stairs with friends and relatives behind them. The trumpeters led the way down the stairs to the Grounds and the single mass of spectators in tow.

  The crowd meandered down the stairs to the grassy plain upon which such little blood had been shed. None of the companions noticed as Percy slipped from the crowd on a higher terrace and into the buildings on the right-hand side. No spectators were allowed on the green, but as the first to arrive the companions garnered the best seats at the railing overlooking the Grounds. The crowd pressed close behind them, but there was enough room to breathe in and out, and still have space enough to swallow. Brother Birch sneered at the close contact and ground his teeth together.

  The combatants, along with the king and the assistant, walked to the grass where Sins and Ransan stood opposite one another at ten yards apart. Ransan's helper handed a sword to Sins and proceeded to help Ransan out of his inappropriate attire to reveal close-pressed clothes. Sins raised the weapon and brandished the blade with skill. Ransan smirked and bowed his head to Sins.

  "I see I won't be fighting a novice, but even a trained swordsman has difficulty in blocking my blows," he mocked.

  Sins' only reply was to raise the sword so it was even with his face and bring it down in a deft movement that caused the sword to whistle. Theowin waved off the assistant. The elf glanced at Ranson, who gave a nod. The servant bowed his head to the other three and hurried up the stairs. He passed through the crowd and up the stairs to the higher terraces.

  Theowin stood between the two men, and faced the spectators. "We come here to watch these men fight honorably in a Lapita Duel. May the most skillful-"

  "A moment," Ransan interrupted Theowin. The combatant nodded to Sins cloak and hat. "Before we being he must remove his clothing."

  "I will not," Sins refused.

  From the railing Canto grinned from ear to ear. "Ya tell 'em something about their own rules,"
he chuckled.

  Ransan sputtered out his protests. "T-this cannot be! Coats and cloaks are strictly forbidden!"

  King Theowin raised his hands. "A moment. I myself cannot recall anything that requires a combatant to remove their coats, but we shall consult the rules," he suggested. A messenger was sent to the library, and he returned with both Tolen and the rule book.

  Tolen bowed to his king and cleared his throat for the benefit of the audience. "I have been informed of the complication, Your Highness, and I can with certainty say that no such rule exists that demands one leave on or remove any articles of clothing. Either combatant may perform the duel naked if they so wish," he informed everyone. The crowd roared with laughter.

  "Hear hear!" Canto yelled, and the crowd joined his calls. Ransan was not a popular fellow in the city, and to see him lose was the hope of many of the spectators.

  Theowin held up his hands and silenced the crowd. "The Head Librarian has spoken, and we shall proceed with the duel. May the most skillful swordsman be victorious."

  Theowin placed the pair five yards apart and stepped back. The air was tense as he raised his hand. The spectators didn't dare breath. Each combatant faced their foe, but only Ransan's tense but cocky expression was visible. Sins' eyes were narrowed, but nothing else could be seen beneath his hat and clothes. Theowin's hand paused a moment in the air, and then he brought it down. The duel had begun.

  Ransan took a cautious step forward, but did not lunge. He wouldn't be the first one to make a move for fear of misjudging his opponent's arm reach and overstepping his thrust. Sins stood completely still and held the sword even with his body. His eyes watched Ransan dance closer to him, testing the air and distance for trouble.

  "Are you frightened?" Ransan mocked Sins. He smirked when he received no reply. "Terrified to speak? Have you such little focus that you cannot answer me?"

  Sins remained silent and Ransan's smirk died on his lips. He ground his teeth in vexation at being unable to draw out his opponent verbally or physically. There was nothing else to do but make the first move, so Ransan lunged at his opponent. Sins swiftly dodged the attack and knocked down Ransan's sword thrust, but Ransan's grip was strong enough that he didn't lose the sword. He jumped back and glared at Sins who resumed his posture of indifference.

  "Have you no honor to fight when you have been challenged?" Ransan growled.

  "You speak of honor as though you are familiar with the word," Sins commented.

  Ransan scowled and thrust his sword at Sins' arm. Sins blocked the blow, but was thrown into full combat as Ransan attempted to jab his sword into various parts of Sins' body. He had difficulty finding specific parts as the cloak hid Sins outer extremities. Sweat dribbled down Ransan's forehead and his long hair stuck to his face as he tried again and again to break through Sins' defenses. Ransan jumped backward to escape a thrust from Sins, but he fell short of the safe distance and Sins jabbed him in the sword arm. Ransan stumbled back and clutched at the bleeding wound.

  Ransan turned his attention to Theowin who stood nearby judging their conduct. "Castoring is strictly forbidden!" he yelled.

  Theowin raised an eyebrow. "I saw no use of magic," he countered.

  "No one's arm can be that long!" Ransan argued.

  In the crowd came the distinct sound of a dwarf's chuckle. The companions looked to their short friend for an explanation. "That Ransan's an idiot if he thinks that's castoring," he commented.

  "What do you mean?" Pat asked him.

  Canto nodded at Sins who stood patient and erect. "Ah told him ta parry like a dwarf and thrust like a man, and by Phaeton he's doing it."

  Ruth furrowed her brow. "What does it mean to 'parry like a dwarf and thrust like a man'?" she wondered.

  "He keeps his arms close to himself when he's blocking to hide his arm length, and the cloak hides what he's doing," Canto explained. "Then he thrusts and uses his full arm length, catching that fool Ransan by surprise."

  Ned chuckled. "Thus he keeps his arms short like those of a dwarf, and uses the length of his human arms to thrust. Very ingenious, old friend."

  Canto puffed up and grinned. "Ah thought so," he agreed.

  While they talked Ransan grudgingly resumed the match. Sins used the benefit of a cloak and the advice from Canto to keep the upper hand. The spectators and companions were so engrossed in the duel that none noticed that something was the matter with Fred.

  CHAPTER 21

  When the match started Fred watched the fight with less interest than the others of their group. His head throbbed with pain and he took a few steps away from the railing to be away from the more exuberant shouters in the crowd. He wandered backward farther than he expected and before he knew it he'd slipped far into the crowd behind them. The other spectators gladly let him through for the chance at bettering their own position, and before Fred knew what happened he exited the rear of the crowd. He clutched at his head and ground his teeth together as the darkness from before swept over him.

  Fred tried to call out, but his voice was again swallowed in the shadows. He struggled to break free from the darkness, but his hands flailed at nothingness. There was only the small hope of light at the end of the invisible path. He raced forward only a few steps before he recalled Ned's word of advice for this dark area. Fred reached for his staff, but again the sticks were not to be found at his waist. He pressed his lips in tight determination and focused his mind on the light ahead of him. Nothing happened. The light stayed the same distance and the darkness the same blackness. Fred loosed his concentration and relaxed his muscles.

  That's when the air around him trembled. Fred whipped his head to and for to see if something else caused the slight tremor, but there was nothing but darkness. He furrowed his brow and raised his hands palms upward. They were steady and relaxed. "Focus my mind," he whispered, and his echo returned the words to him.

  Fred tilted his head up and glanced at the light that stood beyond his grasp mocking him. He breathed deeply and held out his hand toward the light as Ned had done for his staff. The air around him pulsed thick with energy, and above him the dark ceiling shook and flakes fell atop him. He ignored the changes and kept himself calm and composed.

  The light inched closer, then jumped a foot. Fred reached his hand closer to the brilliance, and its speed increased. He felt as though he were flying forward rather than the light flying toward him as the exit grew brighter and closer. It barreled toward him now and Fred's eyes widened as he watched it cover the distance between them at an amazing speed. He dropped his arm, but the light continued on its hurried journey toward him. Fred lifted his arms in front of him and turned away just as the light crashed into him.

  Fred felt cool evening around around him and his foot stripped on a loose stone. He opened his eyes and stumbled forward to fall onto his hands. The young man glanced up and saw he was at the wooden door in the hillside, but this time it was opened and the stairs were lit by torches that hung from the walls. In front of the opening stood Captain Lee with Ransan's sword assistant by his side. Near them sat one of the Diluvian Bee boxes on a crate. The assistant pulled a sword from his belt and brandished the weapon at Fred, but the captain set his hand gently on the blade and lowered it so it pointed at the ground.

  "He's expected," the captain explained. Captain Lee knelt down in front of Fred and grinned at the young man. "Good evening, Master Fred. I hope you are prepared for the long voyage to your home," he commented.

  Fred frowned and struggled to his feet. His body felt shaky and he guessed he barely had control of his movements. "What's going on here?" he questioned Lee.

  Lee raised an eyebrow and stood. "Very interesting. It appears you aren't as unskilled as we assumed. In that case I must apologize for this." Fred's eyes widened and he reached for his staff, but Captain Lee jumped forward and knocked Fred upside the head. The young man crumpled, but the captain caught Fred before he fell to the ground and deftly threw Fred's limp body over his shoulder. He tu
rned to Ransan's assistant and nodded at the box. "Release them when you wish," he instructed, and proceeded down the stairs.

  Within a moment of his departure Fred's disappearance was noticed by both Ned and Pat. Pat saw his spot was taken by strangers, and turned her head to and fro. He was gone. She looked to Ned, and the creases on his face and his pursed lips told her he knew the same. "Did you see him leave?" she asked him.

  "No, but-" Ned began, but at that moment a cry erupted from the crowd.

  Sins had gained the upper hand in the duel and disarmed his opponent. By the rules of the duel Ransan was required to concede, so Sins stood over him and pointed end of his rapier against Ransan's throat. A tiny prick of blood pooled beneath the point. "Concede," Sins ordered him.

  Ransan's face was twisted in disgust and shock at his loss, but his gaze flitted behind Sins and a smirk slipped onto his lips. "We will have to call this a draw," he commented.

  Sins frowned and a cry rang up not from the crowd but from the terrace below the Dueling Grounds location. Everyone turned to the stairs where an elf maiden appeared. She was out of breath, but pointed at the direction whence she'd came. "Bees! Diluvian bees!" she shrieked.

  Her words, and her steps, were followed by a rush of the creatures from behind her. They flew in large hive groups and the noise from their beating wings resembled drums of war. Espying the woman, they dove at her in all their fury. She screamed and ducked to the ground, but they flew upon her. A fireball erupted overhead and hit the center of the hive. The bees burst into flames and fluttered to the ground around her as balls of flickering fire.

  Ned stepped out of the crowd with his staff clutched in one hand and Ruth, Pat, Canto, and Telana around him. Brother Birch hung back in the crowds cowering with the women and children. Theowin and Sins abandoned Ransan in the Grounds and met him near the stairs leading to the green. Sins reached the top of the stairs, glanced around, and slipped away from the others into the darkness of the coming evening.