by J. P. Wagner
The man, still trying to remain hidden, looked around to see if there were anyone else in sight.
Carrtog turned his horse’s head leftward toward the skulker, urging his mount into a run. The man realized his predicament and jumped up to flee. Carrtog’s horse overtook him, though, and Carrtog, kicking his feet free from the stirrups, dropped on him from behind, one hand raised to plunge home his dagger. A moment later, it was done.
Carrtog’s horse had pulled up a little further on and began to graze allowing Yakor to catch up the reins and lead him back. The smell of blood made him shy slightly, but the familiar touch and smell of his usual rider had a calming effect, and soon the two were on their way again.
#
The evergreens were silent about them, most wildlife having become scarce along the path cleared for the track of the railroad, though occasionally a deer bounded into and out of sight, or an eagle soared high overhead. Beyond that, there was little sign of life.
On the afternoon of the second day, they began to scent smoke.
“If we’re lucky,” Yakor said, “That’s just the cook-fires of Comgwiddiog.”
“And I suppose I’m expected to ask, ‘what if we’re not lucky?’”
“You’re not expected to ask, you’re supposed to list several less fortunate possibilities.”
“Possibilities such as the rebels having taken the town and burned it to the ground with less than the usual amount of burning, and are getting ready to use it against us?”
“Very well thought out. So, now, what are our best notions? Should we go right back and inform the king, or have you a better idea?”
Yakor was looking at Carrtog as though urging him to make up his mind quickly, “One usually has more time to make up his mind than is safe; on the other hand one might just barely have time to pull one’s tail from the fire.”
Carrtog, his mind made up, nodded sharply. “Let’s find a little body of water, preferably a stream.”
“Didn’t we just cross a stream a little bit back?”
“You’re right, of course.” Carrtog was already turning his horse back.
Moments later, they came to a small dark stream. “This will do very well. Yakor, get out a silver coin, near pure silver as possible, and cut off a few shavings. Save them on a chip of wood.”
Without questions, Yakor began to obey, while Carrtog dug a small ceramic bowl out of his saddlebags. A bowl of silver would have been preferable, but carrying such a large piece of silver in one’s saddlebag through these wilds was dangerous to the point of stupidity. A ceramic bowl, well-washed, along with incantations, would have to do.
He washed it thoroughly, reciting the proper incantations, then filled it with water. He drew a pistol ball from his pouch, and dipped it into the bowl, repeating further incantations to make the magical connection, then dried it so as not to dampen the powder.
He then took some of the silver chips Yakor had produced, and using the flat of his sword as an anvil, pressed them into the soft lead of the pistol ball
He glanced at Yakor as he began priming and loading, “This is known as ‘The Ball Over the Wood.’ I’ll want you to watch carefully what shows in the bowl, if anything.”
He aimed the pistol forward and at an angle that would take the ball high in the air and near to as far forward as guesswork would allow. He spoke an incantation, which, among other things, was intended to dampen the sound of the shot.
Despite that, the discharge was uncomfortably loud. Carrtog grimaced. He hoped this got some result, for he had no wish to repeat this. He couldn’t hope to go unheard by enemies for long, nor could he count on being mistaken for a hunter.
He wished he had more experience with this particular spell. He suspected that Yakor could read his nervousness, and was quietly grateful to the man for not showing it in his expression.
He glanced at the bowl; at first the water’s surface showed only a passing woodscape, mostly evergreens and low underbrush. Suddenly there was a flicker of movement, and Carrtog spoke a sharp word.
The view held still, expanded a little, and, for the space of about ten heartbeats, they were able to scrutinize it closely.
“Headed this way,” commented Carrtog. “What d’you think?”
Yakor nodded in agreement. “Here before midday, I’d guess.”
“Right. Let’s clean up here and head back to the king.”
‘Cleaning up’ consisted of emptying the bowl, sloshing some clear water around in it, then drying and stowing it in the saddlebag. There was little point in trying to wipe out their tracks in the patchy snow.
Carrtog glanced around. “It’s possible that someone who knows their magic could figure out what went on here, but I don’t know anything I could do about that. Let’s go.”
They hurried back down the track towards where they had left the king’s party. Shortly they saw the others, who, as soon as they saw the pair coming back, had begun to get themselves into a sort of defensive formation, displaying more confusion than skill.
“What now?” demanded the king.
“Comgwiddiog has fallen, and there’s a party of armed men headed this way. They’ll be on us by noon.”
The king snorted. “I expect those traitors in Tenerack found some way to pass the word on as to which way we were travelling.”
Carrtog, who knew half a dozen ways to pass a message through the distance between the two towns, forbore to comment.
The king continued to glare. “Do you have any suggestions for us, other than that we cravenly surrender ourselves?”
It occurred to Carrtog that King Bornival did not know much history. Tsingallik having betrayed their cause during the previous war, the best any of his descendants could expect from people loyal to the pre-war situation was execution out of hand.
“No, your Majesty, I prefer flight and evasion. I am not a complete Master of Battle Magic, but if you follow my instructions, I believe I can get us safely away.”
The king gave him a suspicious look. “If I follow your instructions?”
“I shall endeavor to ask nothing that would offend your Majesty’s honor.”
The king nodded grimly, but Carrtog could see that his agreement was only grudging. “So. What next, then?”
“The first thing we do is to get off this trail, so as not to run headlong into the rebels. I will prepare a spell of confusion and illusion. If they come in sight of us, I need only speak one word and we will be off at a run, leaving them only fleeting glimpses of a herd of deer in flight.”
“And they will mistake the gait of running horses for running deer?” scoffed the king.
“Part of the spell, Highness,” Carrtog replied. “Besides which, the spell will keep them from seeing more than glances of us.”
“Had you not considered that firing a pistol-shot will attract their attention, make them aware that something is up?”
“True, a pistol-shot is preferable for the powering of a spell such as this, Highness, but I can get equal results by the open burning of good-quality powder a little bigger than the size of my thumbnail. Now, Highness, I ask you to excuse me while I make my preparations. I would suggest that you follow Yakor off the trail, and I will catch up to you as soon as may be.”
The king frowned, hesitating. Please, Your Majesty, don’t make any snide hints about my betraying you. I may not be able to maintain my courtesy if you do.
But the king only nodded curtly and turned away.
It didn’t take long for Carrtog to gather a few twigs and make a tiny fire, then he carefully spoke the words of the several necessary incantations and tossed a pinch of powder into the flame.
It flashed, putting most of the fire out and scattering the smallest sticks.
He carefully stamped out the rest of the fire, kicking loose snow over the remnants, then got up on his hors
e and rode after the rest of the royal party.
Chapter 5
He followed the trail through the brush and under the low-hanging evergreen boughs until he found himself coming up behind the rear-guard.
“It’s only me, Lord Carrtog,” he said warningly. Pistol half-raised, the man turned around in his saddle to satisfy himself that Carrtog was indeed who he said he was. The man nodded and turned back to face front.
Carrtog rode on up the column, shortly coming to the lady-in-waiting and the princess, who was riding well despite her broken arm. Her mouth, though, was grim and tight against the pain.
“Highness, would you like me to cast another pain-killing spell on your arm?”
She looked at him, forcing a smile. “I thought you didn’t want to fire any shots so near to our pursuit?”
“True, but there are spells I can do without a pistol-shot.”
She shook her head. “No, I think it would be better to wait until we stop to rest the horses, then you can do spells for all those who still bear wounds.”
He nodded, seeing the good sense in her suggestion. “Yes, you’re right. I’ll see you when we rest.”
He was turning away when the lady-in-waiting called, “Lord Carrtog?”
“Yes?”
“I believe I must make apologies. I see so many people intent on doing service to Their Highnesses, often to the point of pretending to abilities beyond what they possess. In your case, not only do you possess the abilities you claim, but I must confess that I had ignored the fact that you had treated the men for pain, even the ones who later died.”
Carrtog inclined his head, surprised at her apology. “Uneasiness around magic is not an uncommon thing my lady, I take no offense.”
“Given the circumstances in which we find ourselves, and will for the next many days, I find no need for you to call me merely by my title. I am called Adengler.”
Perhaps he could convince himself that princess’ ladies-in-waiting were not so far out of reach.
#
When Carrtog continued up the column, King Bornival was wearing what seemed to be his usual displeased expression, but he didn’t hail Carrtog and insist on talking to him. For his part, Carrtog was just as pleased not to have to remain unfailingly polite in the face of the king’s snide allusions.
“Do you have any suggestions for us, other than that we cravenly surrender ourselves?” That one had left a particularly foul taste in his mouth.
He rode beside Yakor for a bit. “Anything happening that I should be aware of?”
Yakor shrugged. “We can’t hurry very much in this underbrush and loose snow, not unless we want to risk laming a horse or two. Anything to report from behind?”
“Her name is Lady Adengler.”
Yakor turned to look at him, frowning. “That’s what’s got you smiling like a fool, is it? Watch yourself, boy, you’re moving into dangerous territory.”
Carrtog, who hadn’t thought that his facial expression was revealing so much, protested, “Come now, Yakor, it’s not as if I plan to begin courting her out here in the wilderness!”
“You just see to it that your mind is on getting us home safely, and not on the charms of the Lady Adengler. If we run into an ambush while you’re trying to make up a poem to her in your head, I’ll be seriously annoyed with you.”
Carrtog wanted to protest, but he had to admit that Yakor had a point. He’d found thoughts of Lady Adengler haunting his mind before he’d known her name; now that she’d introduced herself to him — thereby suggesting that she found him worth talking to at least — he was going to have to force himself to be doubly wary of letting his mind wander. Oh, Carrtog, my lad, how easy it is to give yourself such commands, yet how hard it is to carry them out!
#
When they paused a little later, Carrtog, mindful of the warning from Yakor, was careful not to approach Lady Adengler first, but rather went to the king. “Does your head pain you, Your Majesty? I can produce a charm to decrease the discomfort, if you wish.”
The king scowled. “I need none of your piddling charms! Just leave me be!”
Carrtog bowed. “As you wish, Your Majesty. I will see to the others, then.”
He still did not go immediately to Lady Adengler, but made the rounds of the wounded troops who had been hale enough to ride along with the party. That brought to his mind the men who had been left in Tenerack, and even the fact that he had put himself under the king’s orders did not assuage his guilt particularly.
Most of the soldiers were willing to accept his pain-killing spell, though two of them took their cue from the king and refused him brusquely.
He didn’t bother wasting any time attempting to convince those, but went on to the princess and Lady Adengler, who were both grateful to accept whatever he could do for them.
He didn’t speak to Lady Adengler, not more than to make his offer and to accept her thanks, though he did try hard not to seem to be rejecting her offer of friendship.
That done, he went to rejoin Yakor. Yakor muttered quietly, “I suppose it would be treason to suggest you use a spell to put His Royal Grouchiness in a better frame of mind?”
“I’d say we should be careful not to be seeming to talk secrets in his sight; he might well take it as evidence we were plotting against him.”
Yakor’s face went grim. “Gods above, the pupil teaching the teacher! But you’re right; we’re walking a very fine line.”
#
After a short rest, they were riding again. They had been traveling for about an hour when Carrtog heard the sound of an owl hooting twice. That was the agreed-on signal from the rearguard that the rebels were closing in on them.
“Close up!” Carrtog shouted. A moment later he called out “Now go!”
He shouted the last words of the incantation; suddenly they were galloping through a fine mist. Carrtog, you fool, you didn’t warn them what to expect! We’ll be lucky if we don’t lose someone through confusion!
On the other hand, the mist was the sign that the spell was working, and that the pursuers, if they saw anything, saw only brief glimpses of deer bounding away through the brush ahead of them, brush that suddenly seemed thicker and more impenetrable.
#
In this sort of terrain, it wasn’t safe to run the horses for very long; laming one of the beasts could be little short of disastrous. They ran for about as long as Carrtog dared, then he called another halt.
The king was still not pleased. “They’ll be following our tracks, of course, once your magic fades. That means they may be a little delayed, but they’ll catch us.”
“They won’t find it quite that easy Your Majesty. All we could see of the magic was a fine mist. They’ll see patches of fog and some quick glimpses of animals. While the spell lasts, they won’t be able to see tracks at all, not even their own. As well as that, they’ll keep hearing sounds, including what seems to be far-off shouts of men, coming from various directions. When the magic fades, they’ll have been drawn so far off the trail that they’ll be a long while finding it again.”
The king was not mollified. “What you can hide with magic, cannot another find with magic?”
“Quite possibly, Your Majesty. On the other hand, I have set a charm to warn me if magic finds us, at which point I will take further countermeasures. We haven’t yet seen any sign of combat magic from our pursuers, but I’m sure that a party of their size would include at least one competent magician.”
The king continued to scowl, but Carrtog had a feeling that his dissatisfaction was mainly due to the fact that Carrtog had an answer for each of his concerns.
“May I be excused, Your Majesty? I should see how the others are holding up.” Actually, the others are likely holding up very well; I just have a fear that if I stay here much longer, my courtesy will end up worn to a shred.
; “Go, then,” the king replied, ungraciously.
Carrtog bowed and left the king, going straight to Yakor who had taken it upon himself to check on the others. “How are we doing, Yakor?”
Yakor shrugged. “Surprisingly well, but then we’ve just barely begun, and we have no idea at all how wide-spread the rebellion may be.”
Carrtog nodded. “When we stop for the evening, I’m going to try some spells to see what I can find out. I don’t dare try it now, this kind of magic is likely to wear me down completely, and I’ll need a long sleep afterward.”
Yakor nodded in his turn. “Let’s be on our way, then.”
#
They hadn’t gone very far when they came out of the brush into a clearing. A second glance showed the clearing to be man-made, for it ran almost straight from northeast to southwest, and the trees and bushes that had been cut down were piled in piles here and there along the sides.
In the center was a slightly raised embankment, on top of which could be seen the ends of the cross-ties, and on top of that the long gleaming line of the rails.
Yakor led them up the embankment and down the other side. When it was clear that he was leading them toward the forest on the other side, the king called out, “Would we not be better following the railway track? It’s all clear land.”
Carrtog answered. “Yes, Majesty, but unfortunately the rebels are aware of that as well. I expect they’ll have parties waiting here and there along the railway line to catch us should we do just that.”
The king did not respond, but Carrtog could see he was not pleased. Was he displeased because he would have preferred to follow the railway, or just because he was annoyed with himself for not thinking of the reasons why it was not a good idea?
Having made their way into the brush on the other side of the railway, they continued to move, tending south-westward as much as possible. Late in the afternoon, as they worked their way painfully through the underbrush, they heard the sound of the train coming from the northwest, and looking back saw the trail of smoke from the smokestack.