The Unwilling Apprentice (Book 2)

by Heidi Willard

  At the end of those long five days they stumbled out of the valley and breathed a sigh of relief as they glimpsed Galaron below them. Ned had a grave face and looked back over his shoulder. Pat noticed his concerned expression. "What is it?" she asked him.

  "It's what it isn't. The valley is quiet, and I see no movement around the crag," he replied.

  "Then deem ourselves fortunate and let's be off," the guard leader snapped.

  "Fortunate is all about circumstances, and our circumstances are very grave," Ned countered.

  Ned obliged the guards by pushing on, and by the middle of the fifth day they straggled down onto the plain. Hawkins stood at the gate and saw their coming from afar. He gathered a few horses and mounted his own with a few trusted men, and they met the weary travelers on the road a few miles from the city. Hawkins saw that there were fewer of them than there should have been, and they were all worn and tired. "What's happened?" Hawkins asked them.

  "Something terrible, but we must report it to the king as soon as possible," Ned replied.

  The group was given the fresh horses and led through the city. The guards they left to be mended by their fellow soldiers, but Ruth, transformed into a human, noticed they looked at her out of the corner of their eyes. Their stares weren't friendly. The others hurried to the castle. Martley greeted them at the gate, and her face paled when she saw Fred limp in Ned's arms. She hurried over and set her hands on Ned's horse. "Is he hurt? Where are the others?"

  Ned carefully dismounted with Fred, and turned to his companions. "Pat, take Fred to my room and watch over him," he commanded her. She gave a nod, and with help from the guards they carried the boy upstairs to Ned's room.

  Martley watched them leave, and once out of sight she looked back to the old castor. "I will show you to the king."

  Ned pursed his lips together, but merely nodded and allowed her to lead Hawkins and him to King Stephen. The king awaited them in the throne room with open arms, but they faltered when he saw it was only Ned and there was no sign of his father. "What's the meaning of this? Where is Cousin Michael and my father?" he angrily asked Ned.

  "Dead, and still dead," Ned hastily replied. "But your foolish priest has managed to raise your father's fallen army, and they destroyed most of the pitiful guards you sent with us."

  King Stephen stumbled back as though struck by a hand. He slowly shook his head and his words came out in a hoarse whisper. "No, it cannot be so. You must be lying!" His eyebrows crashed down and he flew at Ned. He grabbed the calm castor by the scruff of his cloak and shook him. "Why do you lie to me? What purpose do you have in lying to me? Do you work some mischief against the Priests of Phaeton?"

  "Mischief has been worked here, and by the priests," Ned calmly replied. "The book Cousin Michael possessed was too powerful for him to master, and he called forth the wrong dead. He spoke a few words at the end of the spell that tells you who is to blame. Deus adiuva me." The king frowned. Hawkins noticed Martley start, but said nothing.

  "I-I don't understand. What does this mean?" King Stephen demanded to know.

  Ned straightened and angry brushed off Stephen's hands. "That doesn't sound familiar to you, Your Highness? You who announce yourself an enemy of Canavar and yet you don't even know his words?"

  "What words are these? What do they mean?" Hawkins spoke up. The words were unfamiliar to him.

  Ned half turned to the guardsman. "Deus adiuva me. Those are the words bound to every spell created by Canavar," he explained to him. "Cousin Michael spoke those words at the end of his spell, and revived the undead. He paid for his mistake with his life, but we can avert the same disaster for Galaron." He swung around and stood tall before the confused and cowering monarch. "Your Highness, you must gather an army and lead them against your own dead."

  "T-this must be impossible. What you say isn't possible," Stephen mumbled. The king saw that the three before him looked at him with disgust, and he gathered his wits. He calmly retreated and sat on his throne. "I will not believe the words of a castor. Show me proof of what happened, and I will followed your request."

  Ned narrowed his eyes. "The words of your own men can attest to that. Three survived of the twenty you gave us," Ned told him. He turned to Hawkins. "Will you please fetch-"

  "Sire!" The closed doors of the throne room flung open and a member of the castle guards stumbled into their presence. He ran down the carpeted floor and knelt down before the king. "Your Highness, a message from Tramadore. They have been attacked, and are pleading for assistance!"

  King Stephen jumped up and his eyes widened. "What? Where is the messenger? Let him speak with us!"

  A figure slipped into the room and hurried toward them. Ned raised an eyebrow when he recognized Percy Clavier. The young man knelt before the throne, crossed an arm over his chest, and bent his head. "I apologize for being the bearer of bad news, but your guard speaks the truth. My father, Lord Sturgeon, attacked Tramadore two days ago and I rode as swiftly as I could to deliver the message of help to you. Tramadore needs a friend, and you are her greatest friend."

  King Stephen's mouth flapped open; he glanced helplessly between the man at his feet and his advisers. "What is this? What dark sorcery has come to the land?"

  "Dark sorcery is indeed at play, Your Highness," Percy replied. He raised his troubled eyes to the king. "My father controls an army of the dead from the Valley of the King. Through them is how he took control of the city and castle."

  Martley stepped forward and crossed her arms over her ample chest. She raised an eyebrow as she looked on the young man. "And why do you come to us for help? Why are you not at your father's side and rejoicing in his victory?"

  Percy glared at her. "I am not a traitor, my lady. My loyalty is to Lord Tramadore, who is even now a prisoner inside his own castle."

  Hawkins stepped forward and unsheathed his sword. He pointed the blade at Percy's head. "How are we to believe you? What proof do you bring to us that your aren't a false witness?"

  Hawkins' blade cracked, and the point fell harmlessly to the ground. On the floor beneath it lay a metal dart. Hawkins followed the direction and started back. The others followed his gaze and looked upon a darkly cloaked figure. Percy stood up and frowned at the guardsman. "This is my father's former assassin, Deadly Sins. He agreed to follow and protect me."

  "Deadly Sins..." Hawkins whispered in awe. His face hardened. "What would make a hired murder change allegiances?" The cloaked man didn't reply.

  "One moment! One moment!" King Stephen cried out as he held his arms over his head. He stomped down off his high throne and stood among the group, whipping his head from one to the other. "What is this all about?" He turned to Percy. "Did your father and you not go with the others to the Valley of the King?"

  Percy bowed his head. "We went there, Your Highness, and witnessed the black priest raise an army of the undead from your own soldiers. I believe it was my father's intent to see the display, for after we were saved by the boy he was given command of the army by a figure in white."

  Ned shot forward and grabbed Percy by the collar too fast for the young man to avoid his grasp. The old man's voice was strained, like a tree bent and ready to snap free or break. "A figure in white? What did he look like?" Percy pulled at Ned's hands, but the old castor roughly shook him. "What did he look like?"

  In another moment Deadly Sins was between them, and he pulled Ned off the young man. Hawkins caught Ned, and the old castor steadied himself while Percy pulled at his collar and coughed. "I didn't see his face nor catch his name, but he gave my father a ring of stone. With that ring my father took possession of the army and the rest is as you know. He captured the city and imprisoned Tramadore."

  "What of the defenders? Were there no guards?" Hawkins asked him.

  Percy gave a nod. "A few men of the army escaped and some joined my father, but most were slaughtered or taken captive. Those that escaped are encamped on the plains. My father intends to solidify his hold on the city
and destroy them before marching on the rest of Ralcott. He won't stop at the borders for I believe his intention is to take Galaron and all the world if he can," Percy replied.

  Ned turned to the king. "What now, Your Highness? Will you offer your services to Tramadore in her hour of need?"

  King Stephen nodded his head. "Y-yes, of course we will help our old ally. Hawkins, assemble several legions and make ready to march this day."

  Hawkins bowed his head. "Shall I inform Lady Lamikan of the commands?" he asked his king.

  Stephen furrowed his brow and finally shook his head. "No, I will have her remain here with the guard to protect the city. We don't know whether trouble will arise while you're gone."

  All in attendance were surprised by the King's order. Ned raised an eyebrow. "You don't believe it's necessary for your Captain to command your army?"

  "She is captain of the guards, and as such she will remain with those who protect the castle and the city," King Stephen snapped. He whipped his head over to Hawkins. "Now get the men ready. Take all the war horses if you must."

  Hawkins hurried from the room and Percy made to leave. "I must return to Tramadore and see how I can help Captain Spalding. I will watch the west for your coming." He bowed and left with the assassin.

  Martley turned to the king. "Your Highness, perhaps more men should be given in aid to Tramadore, and Lady Lamikan should be at the front leading her men."

  "My men," King Stephen corrected her. "And my word is final. Tramadore will be given a few legions and no more. If they fail we will need all the protection we can spare to protect Galaron from this undead army."

  "A few legions may not be enough to counteract Sturgeon's army," Ned spoke up.

  "It will have to be for I won't give them any more," the king insisted. His head whipped between the two. "That is my final word on the subject, and should Lady Lamikan object tell her I will abide no disobedience from my officers."

  Ned frowned but bowed his head. "Very well, Your Highness. I will inform Lady Lamikan of your decision." He made for the door and was intrigued when Martley followed. When they stepped out into the entrance hall and the throne room doors closed behind them, he looked her over. "Is there something I can do for you, Lady Martley?"

  He noticed her clasped hands shook against her stomach. "I'm concerned about the boy your brought back. Is his injury serious?"

  "It may be, but no spell can cure a weakened soul," he replied.

  Her face paled. "He used a great deal of his magic?" Ned gave a nod. "I see. Then only time will allow him to heal. I will pray for him." She turned to leave him, but Ned wasn't done.

  "Speaking of time, how is your wound?" Ned asked her.

  Martley turned to him with a puzzled expression on her face. "My wound?"

  "Pardon my intrusion, but you move rather stiffly. I thought perhaps you had injured yourself," Ned told her. His eyes trailed down her body to her left side. "I have some ability in treating wound, perhaps you would like my assistance?"

  Martley smiled sweetly at him and curtsied. "I see nothing escapes your careful eyes, Sir Edwin. My injury will heal in its own time, but I ask that you take better care of the young boy on your next adventure. I believe we would both be distraught if another boy were to die on your watch."

  Ned flinched back at the insult and the woman parted from his company.

  CHAPTER 19

  While the adults managed the affairs downstairs, Pat and Ruth made Fred comfortable in Ned's bedroom. He was laid on the bed and Pat ordered the guards away. Suggestions for a doctor were politely declined. Ned had told them Fred needed time, and no doctor in the world could speed that up. Pat sat on the edge of the bed next to Fred while Ruth stood in front of her. She cleaned his bare skin and set a hot cloth on his forehead. He was neither hot nor cold, but very still; his breathing was shallow. Pat brushed aside a loose strand of his wild hair. She waited for him to bat away her hand and open his eyes, but he lay still. His condition hadn't changed over the last few, long days, though he was more gaunt and pale than before.

  The room was very quiet. The silence made Ruth uneasy. "Perhaps there is a healer of magic in the city who can help him?" she quietly suggested.

  Pat shook her head. "If Ned cannot speed his recovery then no other castor can heal him," she replied.

  Ruth saw her chance to distract Pat, and sat down beside the girl. "Is this Ned a very great castor? I have only seen him perform a barrier spell. Is that difficult?"

  Pat furrowed her brow. "I suppose I hardly know about Ned myself. He often visited the sanctuary where I grew up and would tell me stories of faraway lands, but never about himself. The Priests of Phaeton trusted him a great deal, which is how he came to be my protector to Galaron. I have witnessed him perform fire and barrier spells, but very little else."

  Ruth sighed; her plan failed. Pat was far from distracted. She looked around the room and her eyes fell on a shelf of worn books. Her father had taught her to read, and she went over and perused the limited selection. There was a book of old fairy tales, and a thought struck her. She whirled around and mischievously smiled at Pat. "What if you were to try to kiss him? It would be very romantic if a princess could awaken a prince."

  Pat tilted her head down and raised her eyes to glare at Ruth. "Do I look like the type of girl to kiss a prince awake?"

  Ruth shrugged, and hugged the fairy tale book to herself. "Perhaps he's the type of boy who needs a kiss."

  "Needs a kiss? What he needs is a-" Pat paused, blinked, and swung her head back to Fred. She stood up and stepped back from his bed. "Maybe that would work..." she murmured.

  "What would work? A kiss?" Ruth asked her.

  Pat snorted. "By Phaeton, no. I have something more practical in mind. Food."

  Ruth blinked, and Pat caught her hand and whirled her around to the door. "Where are we going?" she asked Pat.

  "To the kitchen," Pat replied. "We have some food to find."

  The girls hurried down the steps and past the throne room, missing Ned's conversation with Martley by an early minute. Ned climbed the stairs and found his room empty but for Fred. His staff clacked on the floor as he stepped over to the bed and looked down on the boy's ashen face. He slipped down onto the end of the bed where Pat had sat, and ran a wrinkled hand through Fred's hair. "I will not let you die, but you must stop acting so foolish," he whispered to Fred. He hoped for a response, but there was nothing.

  Ned jumped and whipped his head around when the door flung open and the girls came in with their arms loaded with delicious smelling food. Ned stood and curiously watched them pile the food atop the room's table. "A feast to celebrate our return?" he guessed.

  "Nope," Pat replied. She picked up a juicy leg of lamb and turned to Fred. "A wakeup medicine for Fred."

  Ned stepped aside and gave her ample room to work. Pat plopped down on the bed and leaned over the boy while dangling the leg over his face. "Come on, Sleeping Beauty, time to wake up."

  Ruth sidled up beside Ned, and he leaned toward her. His voice dropped to a whisper to avoid Pat overhearing him. "Have you reminded her that we tried to feed Fred our rations in the valley?"

  Ruth nodded. "Yes, but she won't listen."

  The pair jumped when Fred's eyes snapped open and he leaned forward. His teeth clamped on the leg of lamb as though he was an underfed piranha, and Pat shouted for joy. She wrapped her arms around Fred's neck while he sat up with the leg bulging from his mouth. His head whipped around at the room. "Wa ah we?" he mumbled through the food.

  Ned stepped forward and extricated the leg from his mouth. There was a relieved and bemused smile on his face. "Care to say that again?" he invited Fred.

  The boy shook his head and glanced about the room. "Where are we? Are we back at the castle?"

  The old castor chuckled. "Yes, my lad, and all because of your efforts," he replied.

  Fred glanced down at Pat, who still hung around his neck. "That must have been a close call if you're hugg
ing me like this. How long have I been asleep?"

  Pat pulled back and wiped tears from her eyes. "Five days, and you'd better not do that again." Fred's stomach growled loudly and the boy sheepishly grinned. Pat rolled her eyes and nodded at the table. "I thought you'd need that much when you woke up."

  Fred's eyes lit up and Pat fell face-first onto the covers when he slipped out from beneath her and dashed over to the food. Ruth sat down beside Pat and gave the girl a squeeze. "It worked!" she squealed.

  "Of course it did," Pat replied, but a grin decorated her face. "Good food would bring Fred back from the dead." Pat noticed Ned paled. "What is it?" she asked him.

  "What? Oh, yes, there is news from Tramadore and I bring orders from the king," Ned told them. He recounted the fall of Tramadore, and even Fred stopped eating to overhear the horrible happenings. "The king has ordered Hawkins to lead a few legions to assist Tramadore, and you are to remain here and guard the castle."

  "Guard the castle!" Pat yelled. She stood and gestured to the window. "What am I to guard it from? The greatest threat was the undead army, and they are at Tramadore!"

  Ned shook his head. "I'm afraid he's adamant in keeping you here, and Hawkins will take all the horses he can to hurry to Tramadore."

  Pat clenched her fists at her side and violently shook. "What stupidity! What cowardice! He means to keep me at the head of the guards to protect himself!" She jutted out her jaw and rolled up her sleeves. "I'll show him who's a coward. I will demand he send me in place of Hawkins!" She marched to the door but Ned held up his arms to block her path.

  "A moment," he pleaded. "The king is in no humor to hear your complaints after his plan to revive his father has failed."

  "Then what do you suggest? We stay here?" she snapped at him. "If we had not stood idly by and watched the dark priest perform the magic then Tramadore would still be in the rightful hands of Lord Tramadore!"

  Ned shook his head. "I won't argue with you there, but if we must leave it will have to be without his permission, and most especially without his knowledge."