The Ritual Of Neccar (The Adventures Of Pervikar Book 4)

by John Evans

  "Thought it, never said it," muttered the captain.

  "There, you see!" exulted Vargas. "The two of us are just trying to do our best in our chosen professions."

  "I don't think I'm going to try debating any topics with you," said Karina with a smile.

  "My father always said I had a quick and glib tongue," said Vargas. "To what do we owe a visitation to our islands from such lovely and distinguished ladies?"

  "Shall we say the irrational whim of a scatter-brained noblewoman?" suggested Karina. The smile never wavered on Vargas' face, but the mirth left his eyes. "Let's say I'm here for my own purposes and a little sightseeing."

  "As you wish, Baroness. I am empowered to extend to you and your companions an invitation to be introduced to Prince Antonio Delga Volvantano, the ruler of our islands."

  "We would be delighted to accept," said Karina. "We will be staying at..." She looked over her shoulder at Genese.

  "The Silver Schooner, milady," supplied Genese.

  "The Silver Schooner," repeated Karina. "Please send the invitation there."

  The mirth and amusement reappeared in Vargas' eyes and his smile grew even wider. "Baroness, I'm afraid there has been a miscommunication. The invitation's time is for as soon as we land. Their Highnesses wish to meet all distinguished visitors immediately. It is a very informal meeting and I will have the pleasure of your company when I escort you to them."

  "We will be delighted to meet them," said Karina. "I don't suppose anyone has refused the offer?"

  "Only those with something to hide," replied Vargas. "That is when things get... unpleasant."

  "That is definitely something to be avoided," said Lorilei sweetly. "I hope you will excuse me. Even if this meeting is informal, I would like to get freshened up and change into something a little more in keeping for a meeting with royalty."

  "I had better go, too," said Karina. "We also need to pack. Captain, will it be alright if we leave our luggage on board until we return?"

  "Yes, of course," replied the captain.

  The three women went to their cabin to finish packing and prepare to meet the rulers of the Sharak Islands. Karina changed from her divided skirt and blouse into a sky-blue dress. Lorilei did not change, but put on the dark green hooded cloak Karina had first seen her wearing. The cloak was embroidered along the edges with gold and silver thread, and it fastened at the waist. Genese finished packing just as the ship bumped up against the dock.

  "Ah, you both look enchanting," exclaimed Vargas as he spied them coming up on deck. "Shall we be off?"

  Vargas escorted them down the gangplank. Two other men in the same uniform Vargas was wearing were waiting on the pier. Vargas muttered something like 'escort' to the two men as he handed them the crew and cargo manifests. Both men nodded and went on board as Vargas turned and led the women into the city proper.

  Karina followed Vargas and looked around in wonder as the city unfolded before her. The city was built like a series of wooden blocks. Level terraces sported small parks or plazas, and each was surrounded by stone buildings. Wide stone stairs led up and down between each level of the city. The four of them ascended level after level as the sun reached its zenith. Karina stopped once to watch a wagon being pushed off the edge of one terrace onto a floating platform. After the wagon was secured, the platform sank down to the lower terrace.

  "Impressive," commented Lorilei.

  "Our Magician's Guild was very pleased with themselves over that bit of magic," said Vargas. "The masons were just as happy not to build ramps to every level of the city. Our destination is above the next level."

  Karina looked up and was surprised to see an impressive stone keep towering over her. It was situated in the center of the city halfway up the mountainside. Crowned with battlements and crenelments, the keep stood several stories high as if to hold dominion over the city.

  "Prince Bernardo Volvantano, who designed the city, was rumored to have short legs," said Vargas. "Even halfway up is still a trek as your maid can attest to."

  Karina turned around and saw Genese panting heavily at the top of the stairs they had just walked up. She was holding onto the stone wall for support and was clearly exhausted. Karina ran to her and helped her over to a nearby bench.

  "Please may we rest here to catch our breath?" asked Karina of Vargas.

  "Of course, please forgive my lack of consideration. Excuse me for a moment."

  Vargas walked over to a nearby building and went inside. He came back a few minutes later followed by a matronly woman dressed in a black embroidered dress. The woman was carrying a tray with three goblets and a pitcher.

  "A little water to refresh you," said Vargas, handing out the goblets. "Rest here for a few moments to catch your breath. I am so used to going up and down the steps that I forget that other visitors are not."

  "You're most kind,' said Lorilei demurely, sipping from her goblet.

  "When you have rested enough, meet me over by the steps," said Vargas.

  "How are you feeling?" Karina asked Genese as Vargas moved away.

  "Better," gasped Genese. "If I didn't believe you were more than human before, I believe it now. You weren't even breathing hard at the top of those steps. I don't know how Lady Lorilei did it, though."

  "I saw all those steps and gave myself a little jolt of magic, dearie," replied Lorilei. "I could only do it to myself without Vargas noticing."

  "I've recovered enough," said Genese, standing up. "After all, it's only one more flight of stairs."

  Karina looked over at the stone stairway. The next level was a full hundred feet above where they were sitting. She decided it was not worth arguing with Genese. Karina nodded her thanks to the woman with the tray and led the way over to where Vargas was waiting.

  "I have an alternate means of travel, if you wish to try it," said Vargas as he stepped up onto a floating platform.

  "Is it safe?" asked Karina.

  "We have had only one platform break," said Vargas seriously. "Whether it was overloaded or a flaw in the platform's structure, we'll never know. I must confess I do not like standing on a stone with nothing, but air underneath it."

  "Genese?" asked Karina.

  "I follow you, milady."

  Karina was not going to make Genese climb all those steps. She accepted Vargas's hand and stepped up onto the platform. Lorilei smiled to herself as she followed Karina. Genese stepped up last. As soon as they were all on, the platform began to lift gently upwards. It quickly rose the hundred feet to the next level and stopped. Massive bronze doors blocked the entrance to this level, but a small postern gate was open to allow them to enter. Two men and two elves in gleaming armor guarded the gateway.

  "This way, please," said Vargas, leading the way.

  He led them into the keep and up two more short flights of stairs. The inside of the keep belied the stark exterior. Golden candelabras lit the inlaid wood hallways. Pictures and tapestries hung on the walls with sculptures artistically interspersed in between. Vargas led the three women into a sitting room. Four large windows opened onto a balcony, which overlooked the harbor. Karina was a little amazed at how high they were above it.

  "If you will please wait here, His Highness will join you shortly," said Vargas as he turned back towards the door.

  "Won't you be staying?" asked Karina.

  "No, I have to return to my duties, Baroness. As I said, His Highness likes to keep these meetings informal." He turned and went out, closing the door behind him.

  "What do you think?" Karina asked Lorilei.

  "Efficient, dearie. Maybe too efficient," replied Lorilei. "No one challenged Vargas coming up here with us. It's almost as if they expected us."

  "Sit down, Genese," ordered Karina. She had just noticed the young girl swaying on her feet. "I had not realized how far up we had trekked until I looked out the window. Please, sit down before you fall down."

  "Yes, milady," said Genese gratefully as she sank in relief on a chair.
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br />   "You're right, Lorilei," said Karina. "They were expecting us."

  "Of course, we were," came a reply from the door.

  Karina and Lorilei turned to look. A man in his mid-fifties was framed in the doorway. He wore a blue doublet with a high collar and matching pants, which were tucked into glassy black boots. His brown hair was gray at the temples and he sported a handlebar moustache. His face was tan and craggy as if weathered by years at sea.

  A crash behind Karina made her spin around. She saw that Genese had tried to stand up, but her legs had failed her. She had fallen against a round table, knocking it over, and just managing to catch herself on another chair before she fell over.

  The man darted past Karina and Lorilei. He bent down and effortlessly scooped Genese up in his arms. Genese was so surprised that even though her mouth opened in protest, she could not utter a word. The man carried her around to the sofa and set her down gently.

  "Cramp?" asked the man. Genese nodded. "This may hurt a little." With that, he pushed up on Genese's toes, stretching the muscles in her calf. Genese hissed as prickling pain lanced up her leg from her muscles unknotting. The man sat on the sofa and began to gently massage her lower leg.

  "Please sit down," he said to Karina and Lorilei. "I'm Prince Antonio Volvantano." Genese gasped and tried to back away from him. "Oh stop that!" he ordered. "I know Colonel Vargas told you that this is just an informal meeting. If you get up too fast, your cramp will return."

  "Thank you, Your Highness," said Karina as she righted the table and sat down opposite the Prince. "How did you know we were coming?"

  "Believe it or not, sailors are worse gossips than old women," said the Prince. "A ship puts into port and its sailors tell of a fight between their ship and a certain brig. The brig was carrying a warrior-woman and a sorceress, who were instrumental in thwarting their attack."

  "They're here?" exclaimed Karina. "Your Highness, they're pirates!"

  "Yes, I know," replied Prince Antonio. "There are binding oaths on these islands giving all ships safe shelter that request it. The oaths are not only binding on us, the islanders, but also on the ship and crew. A long time ago, one captain thought to use the safe shelter request to sneak past the harbor defenses and sack the town. No sooner did his ship enter the harbor when a vortex sucked it down below the surface. It then spat it back out minus the crew. No one has broken the oath since then."

  "Your Highness, my leg is much better now," said Genese, red faced that a prince would minister to her needs.

  A twitch of a smile flitted across his face as Prince Antonio released Genese's leg. Genese sat up and straightened out her skirt as he turned back to face Karina and Lorilei.

  "Now, what really brings you to my islands?" he asked, holding up his hand. "Please do not insult my intelligence by saying you are here for a visit. Does this have anything to do with Queen Shara's abduction?"

  "You're well informed. No, I..." Karina was stopped by a knock on the door.

  The door opened to admit a man and a woman. Both were in their fifties. The man was short with a close cropped beard and wearing gray robes. The woman was dressed in an elegant robe and sitting in a chair suspended off the floor, which was being pushed by the man. Prince Antonio stood up quickly with a startled look on his face. Karina, Lorilei and Genese stood also.

  "I'm sorry to interrupt you, dear," said the woman to Prince Antonio, "but Costas came to me with information about these three that I thought you should hear. Will you introduce us?"

  "Ahem," coughed Prince Antonio clearing his throat. "Baroness Karina, Lady Lorilei, and their maid, Genese, may I present my wife, Princess Sophia Volvantano, and Costas, Chief Cleric of Shades in Firehold."

  "My pleasure," said Princess Sophia nodding as Karina, Lorilei and Genese all curtsied. Karina could see that the princess was paralyzed from the shoulders down and she wondered what had caused that.

  "I am also pleased to see you, milady," said Costas to Karina. He appeared to be pleasant and jovial, not at all the way Karina thought a priest of Shades should be. "Your Highness, Baroness Karina is here on a quest. What the quest is I do not know, but I have been instructed to take her up the volcano. I do know that the quest is personal and involves her family."

  "Is that true?" asked Prince Antonio of Karina.

  "Pretty much so, Your Highness, although it is a little more complicated than that."

  "And Queen Shara?"

  "I knew she had been abducted, but nothing more than that," replied Karina.

  "Very well," said Prince Antonio. "I hope you enjoy your stay and that your quest is successful. If you run into any of the pirates, show them the same courtesy they show to you. It wouldn't do to be arrested for assault and murder. I'll have a courtier guide you back to the ship and then to your inn."

  "Nonsense, dear," said Princess Sophia. "They will stay with us."

  Prince Antonio glanced back and forth quickly between Karina and Lorilei, and his face became stern. "Sophia..."

  Princess Sophia stared back at him without batting an eye. Prince Antonio closed his eyes and his shoulders slumped with some sort of resignation. He took in a deep breath and nodded.

  "We would be honored to have you stay here," he said finally. "I'll go and have someone bring your luggage up."

  With that said, Prince Antonio left the room. Princess Sophia turned her head to look at Costas. "Would you be so kind as to show Lady Lorilei to the blue room in the east quadrant?" she asked. "You can call for them tomorrow after breakfast. I would like to spend a few moments alone with Baroness Karina, if you don't mind?"

  Chapter 7: A Royal Favor

  "I have a favor to ask of you, Baroness," said Princess Sophia.

  "Yes, Your Highness?"

  "Sophia, please," said Princess Sophia, licking her dry lips. "I would like you to make love to my husband."

  "I beg your pardon?" gasped Karina.

  "Everything in this city is vertical, except for a few level spots and the interiors of the buildings," said Princess Sophia. "Ten years ago, I slipped and fell over a wall. The healers saved me, but could do nothing for my broken back. I am paralyzed from the neck down. I love my husband and he loves me, but after the accident, sex became a thing of the past. I tried to convince him that I could still please him, but he was too worried about anything that may aggravate my injury. I know he has needs and he has been denying them all this time. It's gotten to the point where I've been throwing every beautiful woman who crosses my path at him. Antonio knows I'll have either you or Lady Lorilei try to seduce him."

  "You showed compassion towards your maid," said Princess Sophia. Karina managed not to look up as she realized that Genese had not left the room, but was standing quietly in a corner. "I'm hoping that you will show the same compassion towards my husband. Please."

  Karina sighed. Her enhanced sex drive would kick in once she saw Prince Antonio naked, but she had no idea how to seduce a man who was expecting it and ready to reject her. She thought Lorilei could use magic, but knew that ruling lords and their families had magical guards against such tactics.

  "I'll try, Sophia, but I don't see any chance of success," said Karina.

  "Neither do I," replied Sophia sadly. "As I said, it's a ritual the two of us go through because I have hope. I'll show you to your room."

  Princess Sophia nodded and her chair swiveled around in midair. It then moved towards the door, which opened by itself at the chair's approach. Karina followed her and moved up to walk beside her. She faintly heard Genese following behind them.

  "Antonio made me this chair after the accident," related Sophia. "He had wizards enchant it to float and respond to my thoughts. He then had them cast spells on the doors to open when the chair approached."

  "That's wonderful," replied Karina unsure of what to say.

  "Don't worry about hurting my feelings or saying the wrong thing," chuckled Sophia. "It's been ten years and I'm used to it."

  "Still, I would not like
to give offense, even involuntarily," said Karina.

  Princess Sophia stopped her chair and smiled up at Karina. "I think you're the right one. I'll send my maid around with instructions for tonight. Plan on dinner."

  Princess Sophia guided them to their rooms and left. Karina turned to face Genese now that they were alone.

  "I don't stand a chance of getting him in bed, do I?" asked Karina.

  "No, milady," answered Genese. "You'd have to catch His Highness completely off guard and considering how long this has been going on, I'm sure there are very few tricks that he hasn't seen and prepared for."

  "Let's go see Lorilei. She's supposed to be next door."

  Lorilei was in her room, lying on a sofa and enjoying a glass of red wine. Karina filled her in on Princess Sophia's request. She also told Lorilei of the accident and their assessment of Karina's chances.

  "I'm afraid you're both correct, dearies," said Lorilei, sitting up and rummaging through a bag. "I know both the Prince and Princess are warded against magic. We had better forget force, unless you want to end up in the dungeon. We can try my red candle. Its influence may go around his defenses since it's a subtle type of magic. Light it just before dinner when both of you are in the room."

  "I don't know if I want this to work," said Karina as Lorilei handed her the cloth-wrapped candle.

  "I doubt it will," said Lorilei, "but trying to break through his wards would definitely not be contusive to an amorous liaison."

  "Here, milady," said Genese. "I'll put the candle in your bag and go lay out your best dress once our baggage arrives. I have the maid's room adjoining yours."

  "Genese, I can do that," admonished Karina.

  "Yes, milady, but if we want this to succeed then we all have to do our part."

  "Is it the right thing to do?" asked Karina. "To make a loving husband cheat on his wife, even with her approval?"

  "Sounds good to me!" said Lorilei, which brought a look of disapproval from Karina and Genese.

  "They're in a rut," said Genese slowly thinking over the situation. "The Princess loves the Prince enough to see his needs, even if it means another woman. The Prince won't cheat on his injured wife, so he denies his passion. It is a vicious circle that needs to be broken. I'm not sure what the outcome will be."