The children didn’t know what the King had meant by that remark, so Christopher decided to pose a question to Artemas. “When will the timedoor reopen?”
“In about six days. Now that I’m home, the calculations are quite simple.”
“Is that in six of your days or six of our days?”
“Six of my days,” he said.
Christopher thought for a moment and whispered into Molly’s ear. She nodded happily and encouraged her brother to tell the King. “Since Molly and I will be here for a while, we have only one thing to ask of you.” King Rupert looked puzzled but signaled for him to go on. “Since we did so many favors for you and Artemas in our world, Molly and I think it fair that you allow us one favor in return.”
“That sounds reasonable,” the King said after seeing Queen Eleanor nod her head in approval. “I’ll grant you any request, so long as you don’t ask for possession of my kingdom.”
“Do you promise to keep your word?” Molly asked.
“My word of honor!” he said. “I am a King after all. If I make a promise, I stick to it. If I didn’t, why, that would be very, well–unkingly! Isn’t that right, dear?” he added, patting his wife’s hand.
“We’ll find out shortly,” the Queen said with a smile. “My husband is usually one to keep his word.”
“That’s all we wanted to hear,” Christopher said. “Then this is our request. Molly and I wish to go with you when you rescue Princess Rosalind from Malaban’s fortress. We offer our services which you can’t refuse, for that is the favor we are asking.”
King Rupert slapped a hand to his forehead. “Isn’t there anything else you’d rather have? A pile of gold and diamonds perhaps? How about a dozen prized horses?”
“We’ve made our choice,” Molly said. “Besides, you mentioned that you only wanted a few people on the rescue. Who would ever suspect kids like us involved in such a thing?”
This proved to be an excellent point, yet still the King wasn’t satisfied. Before Christopher and Molly had interrupted the meeting, King Rupert was about to announce who would accompany him on the rescue mission. He would go, along with Artemas, Ulric and two of Ulric’s best soldiers. The King thought five men would be sufficient. But now that the children had cornered him into a promise, King Rupert decided, as painful as it was, to allow Christopher and Molly to go in place of the two soldiers. Christopher hooted in delight and Molly grinned, telling King Rupert to cheer up. She insisted that two children might prove to be of more help than anyone could ever imagine.
CHAPTER FIVE
A Spy on the Plains
The rescue party gathered in King Rupert’s chamber early that evening to hear his plan. They would leave for Malaban’s fortress that very night under the cover of darkness. Christopher and Molly were unprepared for so sudden a departure, especially in the dead of a chilly winter night. Being included in the rescue suddenly grew less attractive.
“We’ll travel on horseback, and if we’re lucky, our journey should take only a day,” the King said. “We’ll camp out on the plains, keep our meals brief and our conversation to a minimum. Hopefully, only the wind and the grass will know of our plans.”
Christopher raised a hand. “Who are you trying to hide from? Surely we don’t have to worry about being watched, at least not until we near Malaban’s castle.”
Ulric stepped forward, his callused hands and wind-burned face a testament to many grueling adventures in the King’s service. “Always be on the lookout for your enemy,” he warned. “Even though we are a day’s journey from our destination, spies can lurk anywhere. Always be on guard.”
“I’ll remember that,” Christopher said.
The talk of spies, in addition to a late start, put a damper on the children’s spirits. Now more than ever they wished they hadn’t invited themselves along. But they couldn’t turn their backs at the first sign of discomfort, so Christopher and Molly kept their thoughts private. They just wanted to begin their trek at once in order to end it as soon as possible.
So several hours before midnight, King Rupert kissed Queen Eleanor goodbye and told her not to worry. “We shall find Rosalind and bring her back safely. I give you my word.”
“Please be careful,” she said, trying to smile. “I’ll count the minutes until you return.”
Everyone loaded food and other supplies onto their horses and departed solemnly across the castle drawbridge under a canopy of gray and black clouds. Ulric rode in the lead followed by King Rupert and Artemas, who traveled side by side, consulting in whispers along the way. Christopher and Molly trailed behind on the same horse, bundled up in fur-lined coats to protect them from the bitter winds sweeping across the plains. They couldn’t imagine what adventures awaited them.
The five traveled several miles north of the castle in the first few hours. The clouds had scattered by then, exposing thousands of bright stars above. Silhouettes of sharp, rocky mountains loomed off to their left as the horses trotted over dried stalks of grass that brushed harshly against each other in a biting breeze. The barrenness of this winter world depressed Christopher. He longed to see a shining silver moon climb over the horizon.
“Don’t tell the others, Chris, but I wish I was back home,” Molly whispered. “I’m cold, tired and quite sure it’s way past my bedtime. Maybe it wasn’t such a bright idea to tag along after all.”
“Maybe, but it’s too late to turn back. We promised to help, so now we have to keep our word no matter how bad things get,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll stop to rest soon. I’m tired too.”
Molly wanted so much to close her eyes, but the uneven gait of the horse chased away any chance for sleep. The ground was hard and uneven, sloping gently at times or climbing so steeply that the children nearly fell off their horse. Both were quite hungry too, neither having eaten anything since the small snack of bread, fruit and water inside the castle. They rode in silence, counting off the minutes as best as they could.
At one point, King Rupert and Artemas fell into a quiet conversation. Ulric soon joined in the talk. Christopher listened to the discussion to drive away his boredom.
“Are we being followed, Ulric?” the King asked.
“I’m quite certain. Ever since we departed the castle, I was aware of the stranger. I thought it best to proceed normally until he makes a move,” he said.
Artemas nodded. “He remains far enough behind us so as not to be too obvious.”
“And to make a getaway if we pursue him.”
“Should we go after him?” King Rupert inquired. “If he’s going to pose a threat, I think we ought to. I won’t have some nuisance of a spy jeopardizing our mission!”
“I don’t think we have to worry,” Ulric said. “My instincts tell me that we’re not in any danger yet. Chasing him will only delay us. Let him come after us if he must.”
Ulric gently snapped the reins on his horse and moved out in front again after the conversation ended. Christopher’s interest perked up and he felt the journey taking a turn for the better. He glanced over his shoulder but was unable to catch a glimpse of the spy. “They must have better eyesight than I do to be able to see in this gloom,” he whispered. Christopher asked Molly how she liked their adventure now that a genuine spy was tracking them. But all Molly did was lean back against her brother, fast asleep.
Near midnight the King decided that a short rest was in order. The travelers dismounted and soon Ulric had a small fire burning. All welcomed the warmth and light as they huddled about the snapping flames. A meal of dried meat, bread and water refreshed everyone, renewing their strength and spirit for the many miles ahead.
“How much farther tonight?” Molly asked, rubbing her eyes. “I don’t suppose we’ll find an inn along the way.”
“Not in this barren wasteland,” the King said. “A few hours more and then we’ll make camp. How are you holding up, Molly?”
“Pretty good for my first adventure.” But what she really wanted to say was how tired t
o the bone she felt, and how terribly she missed her parents and little Vergil. Sunrise couldn’t arrive soon enough to please her.
Upon finishing their meal, Artemas smothered the fire and everyone packed up their things. They quickly mounted the horses and rode onward through the cold night air.
Another hour passed, then two, then three, but the dreary landscape seemed never-changing. The mountains to the left were still as bleak and uninviting as ever, and the darkness weighed upon them all. Only the stars had shifted their positions as they sank one by one in the west.
Though Christopher and Molly weren’t aware of it, they had been slowly rising in elevation over the great plains in the last few hours. Ulric, quite familiar with the landscape, told the others to halt at one point while he rode on to scout the terrain ahead. The muffled footfalls of his steed in the shadows announced his return several minutes later.
“We have arrived sooner than I expected,” he announced.
“We’re at Malaban’s fortress already?” Molly said hopefully. Despite the danger ahead, she wanted nothing more than to be warm and snug inside, no matter whose castle it might be.
Ulric chuckled. “You’re quite anxious to end this journey, Molly. Though I hate to disappoint you, we are still a ways off from our destination. But we have made substantial progress.” He indicated for the group to follow. “Come with me and I’ll show you.”
They rode their horses to the area which Ulric had scouted out. The children saw that they were now very high up overlooking a great expanse of land and dark rivers. “That is the Pinecrest Valley below. There used to be much trade and traveling through that valley by the people of Endora and other kingdoms,” he said. “But that has stopped in recent times.”
“Why?” Molly asked.
“Because at the end of the valley, Malaban awaits in his evil fortress. He keeps a watchful eye on all who dare to trespass,” he whispered. “Including us.”
“I don’t like the look of that land,” she said. “It’s very dreary and sinister.”
“Hopefully the daylight will cheer it somewhat.” Ulric pointed at a small object in the distance. “Do you see that hill just visible against the horizon?”
Christopher squinted to get a better look. “Just barely. What’s so special about it?”
Ulric lowered his voice even further. “At the base of that hill awaits our sorcerer. Malaban’s castle is built there, and we will have an unfriendly greeting party to welcome us if we are not careful.”
Christopher sighed. “Thanks for telling us.”
“It is good that you learn all the dangers ahead of you,” he advised. “That way you can prepare. Now let’s move on.” Ulric urged his horse forward. “We’ll travel a little ways down into the valley before making camp for the night. We can’t risk a fire up here so open to everyone’s view. As we descend, the small hills will shield us from Malaban’s sight. At least for a short while.”
Ulric led the others skillfully down the grassy slope. Though neither Christopher nor Molly was anxious to enter the valley, they knew that a few hours of sleep awaited them there, sleep they desperately needed to face the enemy.
They pitched small tents on the east side of a grassy knoll to shield themselves from the wind. Molly and Christopher shared a tent, while the King and Artemas each pitched one of their own. Ulric preferred sleeping under the stars rather than inside a tent when the weather permitted, and would do so tonight.
He lit a fire before they retired, and everyone ate another small meal while sitting bundled near the warm flames. Artemas gazed at the stars and King Rupert seemed lost in thought. Ulric walked about the campsite to inspect the area, but had nothing of interest to report. Christopher and Molly were simply content having a bite to eat and a place to sit.
With strength returning to her weary limbs, Molly felt up to posing a question to King Rupert. “What time will we continue traveling tomorrow? After lunch perhaps?”
“That would suit me splendidly,” he said. Molly smiled with delight at the news. “However, such a delay wouldn’t help our mission. So I’m afraid we’ll leave at the crack of dawn. With luck, we’ll arrive sometime tomorrow night.”
Molly wrinkled her lips into a sour frown. “At dawn! That hardly gives me time to close my eyes.”
“You’ll get a few hours rest. That should do.”
Molly reconsidered. “I guess if your daughter has to put up with being a prisoner, I can live with only a few hours sleep. How old is your daughter anyway?”
King Rupert was slow to answer, for his thoughts were with Rosalind and the trials she must be suffering. But he vowed to find his daughter alive and well. “Rosalind is in her fourteenth year. But keep in mind that our year is somewhat longer than yours. She’ll appear a bit older by your standards.” He glanced at the magician. “Artemas, now that you are familiar with time in Molly’s world, can you figure out how old Rosalind would be in her reckoning?”
Artemas scratched his head. “Since I have no writing implements, my mind will have to do all the work. Let’s see now,” he mused, gazing into the heavens. “I would roughly estimate that Rosalind is close to eighteen years old according to Molly’s calendar.”
“Thank you, Artemas,” Molly said. “Now if you all don’t mind, I’m going to bed now. I wish to use every available minute to sleep.” With that, she headed straight for her tent, climbed into a sleeping bag and promptly dozed off.
Exhaustion soon crept over the other travelers, and one by one they retired for the night. Ulric kept watch for a while next to the glowing embers of the dying fire. But even he could not hold back weariness indefinitely and soon nodded off to sleep.
A thin streak of orange and red threaded its way across the horizon. Icy silence coated the plains like a deadly frost. Nothing moved. Not even a slight breeze rustled the brittle grass or the canvas tents. The horses stood in their silent sleep.
In an instant the stillness shattered. Shouts and cries trumpeted in the dawn. A struggle ensued on the ground near the pile of cold gray embers. The travelers, warm inside their tents, were roused by a call for help.
“Awake! Awake! The spy has found us,” Ulric shouted as he wrestled with the intruder.
King Rupert, Artemas, Christopher and Molly bolted from their tents and rushed to Ulric’s aid. Though it was five against one, the stranger put up a fierce struggle to escape, but finally gave in, collapsing to the ground in exhaustion. The others stood round him, wiping the dirt and grass from their clothes, waiting for the spy to sit up. The man got to his knees as the sky grew lighter, plucking a clump of grass from his tangled hair. He coughed and rubbed his arms for warmth as he stood up, staring miserably at his stunned adversaries.
“Well, what are you all gawking at?” Mr. Smithers said with a grunt.
“You!” Christopher said. “You’re our spy?”
“What are you doing in my world?” King Rupert demanded to know. “Nobody invited you here.”
Mr. Smithers rolled his eyes. “And nobody invited you into my world. But you were there anyway.”
The King reconsidered. “Well, we’re even on that point. But still–explain yourself!”
“Who is this man?” Ulric asked. “How do you know him?”
Molly took the liberty of explaining. “Mr. Smithers owns a diner in our world. We stopped there to wait for the timedoor to reopen. He obviously followed Christopher and me through it.”
“Can you blame me?” Mr. Smithers asked. “Everyone just barges into my diner for breakfast and then scurries out in groups without paying the bill. Who wouldn’t be suspicious? I never trusted you two since I laid eyes on you,” he added, pointing a finger at King Rupert and Artemas. “When I saw the kids run out after you, I followed them to get to the bottom of things.” Mr. Smithers looked about the barren landscape. “And it seems I did just that. Quite an invention, that–timedoor, did you call it?”
Now that all were convinced their spy wasn’t really a spy, the
y sat down for breakfast, allowing Mr. Smithers to finish his tale. He said he sneaked up on the camp looking for food when Ulric tackled him to the ground. Mr. Smithers also wanted to know all about the timedoor, so Artemas kindly explained the mechanism to him. Molly gasped when Mr. Smithers admitted hiding behind the magician’s coat tree after passing through the timedoor. “It was so cluttered with cloaks and scarves and boots that I was able to hide behind it without being noticed. I saw you kids looking around just after I entered the room.”
“Then I did hear somebody behind me!” Molly said. “After looking in the hallway, I turned around expecting to see Artemas or King Rupert, but nobody was there. That’s when the timedoor closed.”
“Afterward, I did my own spying around the castle,” Mr. Smithers continued. “When I learned the five of you were going to leave, I thought it best to follow. I figured I’d be safer chasing you than getting caught by some of your guards.”
“My guards would have tossed you in prison if they’d caught you,” the King said. “You would have been treated kindly until my return, but probably bored to tears.”
When the talk died down after breakfast, King Rupert decided to allow Mr. Smithers to join them on the rescue. He was more than eager to accept and couldn’t wait to get started. “Life back home is so dreary, and my heart isn’t into my business like it once was,” he sadly said, recalling better days. “I don’t care if I ever return.”
After the tents were packed and the group ready to move on, everyone wondered how Mr. Smithers was going to travel. He ran off into a patch of brush and tall grass and soon returned with a horse trotting contentedly behind him. “I borrowed him from one of your stables, King Rupert. Hope you don’t mind.”
“That makes little difference now. But I won’t begrudge you a horse. In fact, I’m glad to add another member to the party,” he said. “The closer we get to the fortress, the more uneasy I become.”
The Endora Trilogy (The Complete Series) Page 5