A March into Darkness dobas-2

by Robert Newcomb

  CHAPTER XXVII

  “I KNOW THAT THIS WAS MY IDEA,” SHAILIHA SAID TOWigg as they walked down the Redoubt hallway. “But looking back on it, it’s impossible to know how Nathan will react. Mallory has already been through so much!”

  “We gave her the option,” Wigg answered. “She has chosen, and we must honor her decision. Martha told me about it, just after Traax’s return to the palace. But when Mallory meets with her father, there is one condition on which I must insist. I want this done in strictest privacy. There is no reason for the other endowed girls or boys to see what the consuls have become. I believe Mallory is the only one mature enough to cope with the experience.”

  Shailiha agreed with the First Wizard’s requirement. She also agreed with his assessment of Mallory. The Fledgling’s behavior at the prison had impressed everyone. She could have killed the abusive guard, but she hadn’t. Instead she’d found her own solution, and it had been a clever one. Looking up, Shailiha saw that Caprice was still flying along overhead.

  After walking another quarter hour they stopped before large twin doors. Just above the doors, Old Eutracian words were elegantly carved into the wall. Shailiha couldn’t read Old Eutracian, but she knew about the room’s importance. Opening the doors, they walked into the Consuls’ Nursery. Caprice fluttered in behind them.

  The word “nursery” was a misnomer, and everyone familiar with the Redoubt knew it. “School for the Gifted” would have been a more proper phrase. The princess enjoyed coming here, for this place always buoyed her spirits. The craft’s future practitioners were being taught in these rooms. In some ways she always felt a bit jealous when visiting, because like Tristan, she was eager to start her training. As Wigg accompanied her toward the floor’s center, she looked around.

  Twenty-one boys and eight Fledgling House girls were being schooled here. Each child was the handpicked son or daughter of a consul. The princess fervently hoped that the students’ numbers would grow. But with the remaining consuls under the Vagaries’ influence and Fledgling House abandoned, the nursery’s fate was anyone’s guess. At least we have this many we can guide, she thought.

  Shailiha saw several red-robed acolytes among the youth. First Sister Adrian was not here, having returned to the coast to finish the sisters’ training to empower the Black Ships. But Martha was happily scurrying about, tending to the children’s needs. Shailiha smiled. The nursery was a secret, self-contained world all its own.

  Shailiha watched a group of boys and girls practice some lesser craft arts. An acolyte stood before them, monitoring their progress. The boys wore dark trousers and shoes. Like the girls’ blouses, the boys’ white doublets carried a red embroidered image of the Paragon directly over their hearts. Then Shailiha thought about Mallory. The acolyte would surely be eager to finish her early training and take her sisterhood vows. Here among so many children, she probably felt ancient.

  The nursery’s main room was spacious. Adjoining rooms for instruction and play led off from it. Unlike the other Redoubt chambers, the nursery walls were paneled in wood and painted with bright, playful colors. A visage board took up one wall, its surface covered with azure writing and complex formulas. Scrolls, texts, and instructional charts were in abundance. All in all, the atmosphere was lively and inventive. Shailiha loved the sounds coming from happy children, and there was no shortage of them here.

  Looking around, Shailiha searched for Shawna the Short. At Shailiha’s order, Shawna had started bringing Morganna to the nursery each afternoon so that the toddler could interact with other endowed children. Shawna had enthusiastically agreed.

  “Shawna,” the princess called out. “We’re over here!”

  On seeing the princess, Shawna waved. She looked back down at Morganna, who was sitting on the floor and batting at some toys. The gnome picked her up and walked over to the princess. When Morganna saw her mother, the toddler’s eyes lit up. Shailiha took her in her arms.

  Wigg smiled. “She seems to like this place,” he said.

  “That she does!” Shawna answered. “The princess’s idea was a good one. But I must keep Shannon and his awful corncob pipe and ale jug out of here! He loves Morganna so much that he follows us everywhere we go! But he also knows that if he walks through that door, I’ll brain him good!”

  Shailiha laughed. She knew how protective Shawna was of Morganna. Whenever the child was in Shawna’s care, the princess never worried. She also knew how Shawna ruled the roost over her henpecked husband. One afternoon in the palace kitchens, the princess had seen Shawna try to take a frying pan to Shannon’s skull, simply because his boots had been dirty. Had Shawna been able to catch up with him, Shailiha was sure that Shannon would have ended up with a massive goose egg.

  Knowing how much Morganna enjoyed the fliers, Shailiha ordered Caprice to flutter about the toddler’s head. Stretching forth her arms, the child beamed. Taking care not to be injured, the yellow-and-violet flier hovered teasingly just beyond reach.

  Shailiha and Wigg saw Mallory approach. The Fledgling bowed.

  “Good afternoon, Your Highness and First Wizard,” she said. “Thank you for honoring my decision.”

  Smiling at the Fledgling, Shailiha shifted Morganna’s weight in her arms. “You’re welcome,” she answered. “But we have some things we want to discuss first.” She reluctantly handed Morganna over to Shawna, then looked back at Mallory.

  “Shall we go?” she asked. Mallory nodded eagerly. Shailiha looked at Shawna. “I will order Caprice to stay here with the children,” she said.

  Shawna nodded. Grasping one of Morganna’s pudgy arms, she used it to wave good-bye.

  The trio left the nursery and walked down the hall. Because Wigg knew far more about the captured consuls than she, Shailiha decided to let him do the talking. She gave the First Wizard a nod. Trying to decide where to start, Wigg cleared his throat.

  In a compassionate voice, Wigg asked, “Tell me, Mallory, how long has it been since you’ve seen Nathan?”

  “About a year and a half,” Mallory answered. “He used to pay me regular visits at Fledgling House, then he simply stopped coming. I was terribly worried. Soon we girls realized that none of our fathers were visiting. When we asked Master Duncan why, he said he had no idea. He was clearly worried by it. But I’ve learned here that the consuls were taken away by Nicholas and turned to the Vagaries.”

  “That’s right,” Wigg said. Continuing on, the First Wizard clasped his hands behind his back. “Please refresh an old wizard’s memory,” he said. “Do you have brothers or sisters?”

  “I am an only child.”

  “Ah, yes,” Wigg replied. “And where is your mother?”

  “She died during my birth,” Mallory answered.

  Shailiha reached over to touch Mallory’s hand. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I know what it means to lose one’s mother.”

  “It’s all right,” Mallory said. “Since I was five, Martha has been my mother. The royal palace is much like Fledgling House, only bigger. We Fledglings already feel at home here-especially with Martha nearby.”

  “I want to caution you,” Wigg said. “When you see your father, he will not be like you remember. I want you to stand in the hall while the princess and I go in. If I think it’s all right, I’ll let you join us. But under no circumstances are you to enter without my permission, or let him embrace you. If I order you to leave the room, I want you to do so immediately. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, First Wizard. What if he tries to use the craft against us? Should I be prepared for that?”

  “No,” Wigg answered. “His gifts have been neutralized. With me in the room he cannot harm us, and he knows it.”

  “How is that possible?” Mallory asked.

  “He has been granted an enchantment of selective forgetfulness,” Wigg said. “All his memories regarding craft use have been wiped clean. It’s a painless process, I assure you. He remembers everything, save for spells and formulas.”

  On roundi
ng the next corner they came to two Minion warriors guarding a door. The warriors snapped to attention.

  “Has everything been quiet?” Wigg asked.

  “Yes, First Wizard,” a Minion answered. He smiled. “Save for some loud cursing from the door’s other side, that is.”

  “I’m not surprised,” Wigg said. “He’s highly willful.”

  Looking at the lock, Wigg called the craft. The centuries-old tumblers turned over once, then twice more. Pointing to Mallory, Wigg looked at the Minions.

  “Guard this Fledgling,” he ordered. “I will call for her when the time is right.” Each warrior clicked his heels. Wigg pushed open the door and walked in. Shailiha followed.

  Nathan’s quarters were modest. There was a bedroom, a sitting room with a fireplace, a washroom, but no windows. Nathan sat before the fire. Putting down the book he had been reading, he rose and walked nearer. Shailiha heard the door close behind them and the tumblers turn over again.

  Nathan was tall, handsome, and well built. At forty-three Seasons of New Life, his hair was already a flattering salt-and-pepper affair. He wore a neatly trimmed mustache, and an inverted, whiskered triangle adorned his lower lip’s underside. His dark blue robe hung loosely on his frame. The consul’s eyes were light blue, his jaw firm. Vertical smile lines lay deeply embedded in his cheeks.

  Although he could not employ the craft, Nathan was clearly not intimidated by his august visitors. Shailiha guessed that he had been a powerful consul, and she easily recognized some of Nathan’s qualities in his daughter. Shailiha had to admit that had Nathan not been a Vagaries servant, she might have found herself attracted to him. Nathan calmly looked Wigg up and down, then did the same to Shailiha. As his eyes met hers, the princess couldn’t help but be impressed.

  “Good afternoon, First Wizard, ” Nathan said. “Or whatever it is you’re calling yourself these days.” His voice was smoky, controlled. He looked at Shailiha again.

  “And the princess herself has also deigned to visit,” he added sarcastically. “Normally I would offer you some wine. But as you can see, I’m fresh out.”

  “Sit down,” Wigg ordered.

  Walking into the sitting room, Nathan took a seat before the fire. Wigg and Shailiha chose two upholstered reading chairs and sat down across from him. Looking into Wigg’s eyes, Nathan came right to the point.

  “You have no idea about what to do with me, do you?” he asked bluntly, “or my brothers whom you have also imprisoned in this monstrous Redoubt? Stripped of our abilities to use the craft, we were once among your closest allies. Then we were brought to the light by theJin’Sai ’s firstborn son-the most perfect being the world has ever seen. How ironic! Admit it, First Wizard-you and your Conclave are stymied. Your ludicrous morals forbid killing us, and you don’t know how to turn us back to your insipid Vigors.”

  Leaning across the table, Nathan glared into Wigg’s eyes. “Tell me,” he whispered ominously. “How many consuls do you keep prisoner here? Enough so that if we found our way to freedom, we might cause you trouble again? What a delicious thought!”

  “You’re right in a way,” Wigg answered. “We have come to discuss your future. But there are things that you do not know.”

  “Such as…?” Nathan asked.

  “We have recently attained several advancements in the craft. We might soon be able to return you and your brothers to the Vigors after all. You were once a powerful, compassionate consul-one of the best I ever saw. You were a good father, too.” Pausing, Wigg purposely let the reference to Mallory build tension.

  For a moment, a distinct sadness came over the consul. Then his smug demeanor returned. He sat back in his chair.

  “Ah, but I’m not alone in that interminable sorrow, am I, Wigg?” he countered. “I always loved Mallory! Nicholas might have taken my daughter, but at least her death served a purpose. Rumor has it that theJin’Sai killed your whore daughter, simply by sleeping with her. I hear that Celeste’s death was slow and painful. How sad that must have been for you! Had Failee been alive she would have been intelligent enough to keep that from happening! Better alive with Failee than dead in your uncaring arms, eh, First Wizard?”

  Even Wigg hadn’t been prepared for such a highly personal insult. Shailiha watched the rage build in his face, then subside as he fought it down.

  “I haven’t come here to discuss my personal life,” Wigg replied. “Rather, I wish to discuss yours.”

  Nathan narrowed his eyes. “What are you talking about?”

  Wigg walked to the door. Calling the craft, he unlocked it, then walked out. Muffled voices could be heard coming from the hallway. Wigg soon walked back to sit at the table. Saying nothing, he stared hard at Nathan.

  Nathan glanced skeptically at Shailiha, then back at Wigg again. “What’s going on?” he demanded.

  Leaning forward, Wigg laced his fingers together. “Even though you have become a traitor, what happened to you was not your fault,” he said. “I doubt that anyone-including Faegan and me-could have resisted Nicholas’ power. That’s one reason why we tried to take as many consuls alive as we could. One day you might return to the Vigors. I hope with all my heart that can happen. Just as important, I want you to understand that you have an incentive to do so-one that you didn’t expect.”

  Nathan shook his head. “You fool!” he answered. “Had you ever been exposed to the Vagaries, you would know that nothing in this world could ever persuade me to rejoin your cause!”

  Wigg nodded slightly. “We’ll see,” he said. He turned to look over one shoulder. “It’s all right!” he called out.

  Nathan gasped as Mallory entered the room. She instinctively wanted to run to him. But remembering Wigg’s warnings, she stopped when she reached the sitting room door. Tears started flooding her eyes.

  “Come, Mallory,” Wigg said. He reached out one arm. “Sit beside me.”

  The Fledgling took a seat between Wigg and Shailiha. Drying her eyes, she looked at her father. He had changed. The mustache was new, and his hair was grayer. Her heart ached for him as she thought about what he had become.

  “Father…,” she said, her voice cracking. For the moment that was the best she could do.

  “Mallory,” Nathan breathed. “Is that you?”

  Smiling, she nodded. “In the flesh,” she answered.

  Nathan immediately started to leave his chair. Acting on caution’s side, Wigg summoned the craft to force the consul back down. Nathan glared at Wigg, then returned his gaze to his daughter.

  “I thought you were dead,” he breathed, “killed at Fledgling House along with all the other girls!”

  “That’s what Nicholas told you, isn’t it?” Wigg asked. “He wanted all the consuls to believe that their children were dead.”

  “Why would he do that?” Shailiha asked.

  “My guess is that he had another use for the children, after taking their blood to help build the Gates of Dawn,” Wigg answered. “It would have been something he didn’t want his consuls to know about. Because he died during the Gates’ collapse, we might never know what he had in mind. Things are probably better left that way.”

  Wigg’s expression hardened. “Unless you would care to shed some light on the subject,” he added.

  Still overcome by his daughter’s appearance, Nathan shook his head. “No,” he breathed. “Nicholas never told us.”

  “Don’t lie to me,” Wigg said. “You know better than most that I can force the truth from you.”

  Nathan finally took his eyes from Mallory to look at the wizard. “He told us nothing about this-I swear it. Had I known Mallory was alive, I would have moved heaven and earth to find her!”

  Just then Nathan saw the red Paragon embroidered on Mallory’s shirt. He glared angrily at Wigg. “Why does my daughter still wear her Fledgling House uniform?” he demanded. “It was my understanding that the academy was abandoned!”

  “Don’t you remember?” Wigg asked. “Thirteen years ago you came to me
on bended knee, asking that your daughter be admitted to Fledgling House. You even went so far as to petition Queen Morganna. It is only right that you know that Mallory’s Vigors training continues, here in the Consuls’ Nursery. You might also be interested to know that twenty-eight other consuls’ children attend school there. The next time you see your daughter, she might be wearing a red acolyte’s robe. That’s what you wanted, is it not-for her to wander Eutracia as you once did, doing good deeds for the populace?”

  Nathan looked like he might explode with rage. “You bastard!” he snarled. “How dare you oversee my child’s rearing? I demand that you stop polluting her mind this instant! She’s not your charge, and you know it! Her care and training are to be immediately turned over to me!”

  Fighting Wigg’s warp, Nathan did his best to stretch forth his arms. Shailiha got the distinct impression that if he could, the consul would gladly choke the First Wizard to death. Wigg calmly returned his gaze.

  “If you don’t do as I demand, one day I will kill you,” Nathan breathed.

  Mallory was stunned to hear her father speak that way. The First Wizard had been right. This was not the man she once knew.

  Wigg sat back in his chair. “You’re in no position to give orders,” he replied. “Besides, whether Mallory’s training continues or not, you’ve sworn to kill me anyway. Your late master demanded it. But you and I know that you’ll never get the chance.”

  His jaw set, Wigg leaned closer. “You need to understand the seriousness of your situation, Nathan,” he said. “Only two things can happen to you and your consular brothers. Either the Conclave finds a way to reverse the damage done to your blood signatures and brings you all back into the fold, or you remain imprisoned here in these rooms until the day you die. I’m sorry, Nathan, I truly am. But that’s how things are.”

  Nathan looked beseechingly into Mallory’s face. “You mustn’t listen to them!” he shouted. “I’m your father! You have to believe me!” Tears started filling his eyes. He tried to reach an open hand across the table toward her, but it was no use.