The garhound’s huge body trembled, and Alden appeared. “Rabbit again?” he said, dropping to the ground by the fire. “I was hoping for venison.”
“We’re in Udom.” Gertie turned the spit over the fire. Juices from the meat sizzled on the coals. “The Kronlings won’t begrudge us a few bunnies but kill a deer and they might get testy. Game is scarce in Udom.” She regarded Raven from beneath her shaggy brows. “Any luck?”
“Three days,” Raven said. “Three days, Mor, and no sign of her. What if we’re wrong, and she’s not with Kron? What if she’s out there somewhere, lost or hurt?”
“We know she’s with Kron,” Gertie said. “The stone fairy said so.”
“If the stringy gnat did not lie,” Alden said. “Remnants cannot be trusted.”
“Remnants are no better or worse than other monsters.” Gertie speared a rabbit from the spit with her claws and offered it to Alden. “Supper?”
“No, thank you,” Alden said. “I am too weary to eat.”
“Suit yourself.” Gertie tossed the rabbit to Raven. “More for me.”
Outside the tiny circle of firelight, a ring of glowing eyes appeared, and the smell of rabbit was quickly overpowered by the stench of rotten eggs.
“Scat,” Gertie said, waving her paws. “You’ll get the bones and skin, same as last eʼen, and no more. Go on, now. You stink.”
The shining eyes blinked and were gone.
“Pesky fire sprites,” Gertie grumbled. “Drakes have their uses, but they’re full of mischief.” She chewed a bite of meat. “Strange thing. I’ve seen a pair of harpies flying back and forth the past few days. Don’t like harpies. Nasty, spiteful creatures, always stirring up trouble. Wonder what they’re up to?”
Raven and Alden exchanged glances.
“I believe I will have some rabbit after all, Great One,” Alden said.
They ate in silence and threw the leftovers to the drakes. Raven was cleaning his weapons when he heard it.
“There, hear that?” He laid his sword across his thighs and straightened. “Someone’s calling my name.”
Alden lifted his head. “I hear only the wind.”
Raven got to his feet. “I’m going back out.”
“Wait until first light, son,” Gertie said. “It’s unwise for a human to wander around Udom after dark, even a seasoned warrior like you. It’s too dangerous.”
“Then I won’t go as a human.”
Raven rolled his shoulders and dropped to all fours. With a crack of bones and joints, his body shifted. Black hair sprang up in tufts on his body. His forehead bulged, and his jaw elongated, bristling with teeth and tusks.
“Gar,” Alden said, jumping to his feet. “Raven is a shapeshifter?”
Gertie snorted. “What was your first clue, the hair? The fact that he’s running around on all-fours, or the claws and teeth?”
Raven shifted on his enormous paws. “Is this monster enough for you, Mor?”
“You’ll do,” Gertie said. “You’ve come to terms with it, then?”
“Aye,” Raven said with a growl. “It’s taken me long enough to get it through my thick skull, but I’ve finally accepted that I’ll never truly be a Finlar.”
“I’m proud of you, son,” Gertie said. “What’s more, you’ll be the happier for it. There’s an old Tannish saying. ‘Wear your own tunic, for your neighbor’s won’t fit.’ Three hundred years is a long time to wear another man’s tunic.” She waved her paw. “Go on. I can see you’re chomping at the bit.”
Raven sprang away into the night, the nagging whisper urging him on. He had to keep looking. Sooner or later, Kron would relent, and when he did, Raven would be there.
* * * *
When Raine woke, the water was still blissfully warm. She pushed a damp curl out of her face and sat up. She realized with a ping of surprise that she’d used her injured arm and looked down at her broken wrist. The swelling was gone. She wiggled her fingers and rotated her hand. Not a twinge of pain. The numerous bruises, scratches, and scrapes on her body were gone, too.
Bemused, she washed her hair and scrubbed all over. It felt good to be clean again. She stepped out of the tub and dried off, using a second towel to wring the moisture from her hair. She looked around for the robe, but it was gone. Her gown and underthings were draped over the screen. They’d been cleaned and mended and looked good as new. Her boots sat on the floor. The salt stains were gone, and the cracked, worn leather was supple and soft. She picked up the boots and turned them over. New soles, thick and sturdy.
Shaking her head at Deekie’s cleverness, she pulled on her clothes and ran the comb through her hair. She was tugging on her boots when the little metal man clanked into the chamber.
“The Mistress and Master are waiting,” Deekie said in his squeaky voice.
Raine followed Deekie down a winding stone corridor, pausing at the doorway to the kitchens, a low-ceilinged cavern with a large vented fireplace. Pots bubbled on the hearth and freshly baked bread and roasted meats steamed on a scarred wooden table. Little golden men and women scurried about, banging pans and crockery, chittering in tinny voices as they prepared the meal.
Raine hurried after Deekie, following him into a stone cathedral with a soaring ceiling. Rock formations, delicate and airy as seaweed, twisted from the cave floor to the ceiling. The velvet canopy was aglow with fairies, shifting and swirling to form an array of beautiful patterns. At the center of the cave was a magnificent stone table laden with heavy golden plates and goblets. Stone chairs sat at the ends, and upholstered benches had been placed along either side. In the middle of the table, two stone gargoyles held candles in their upraised claws. One of the gargoyles turned when Raine stepped into the room. The creature winked at her and resumed its position.
Kron sat at one end of the table. The god emanated a force field of power. Mimsie sat on the bench beside him. The ghost was lovely in a gown of celestial blue, a doll-like figure next to the gigantic deity.
“Raine.” Mimsie rose when she saw her. “You’re awake. Are you hungry?”
“Ravenous.”
“Sit down, then.” Mimsie motioned to the table. “Have something to eat.”
Raine took a seat at the table, feeling nervous and shy in Kron’s presence. She forgot her timidity when Deekie placed a bowl of thick soup in front of her, along with a loaf of hot bread. Her stomach was so hollow that it ached. She ate two bowls of soup, a roast chicken leg, mashed parsnips seasoned with cream and thyme, two slices of bread and butter, and a ripe pear.
She set her knife and spoon down with a contented sigh. “Thank you, that was delicious.” She met the god’s fathomless gaze for a split second, and looked away, shaken. “And thank you for mending my arm.”
“You are most welcome,” Kron boomed.
“What happened, Raine?” Mimsie asked. “It scared me silly when Kron told me you were in Udom.”
“He knew?”
“Of course, he knew, child. He’s a god, and this is his bailiwick. What brought you here?”
Raine told them how Flame had disrupted the games.
“Where is Flame, by the way?” she asked, anxious to see her friend.
“Out stretching his wings,” Mimsie said. “Go on. The people in the stadium panicked when they saw Flame?”
Raine nodded and continued her story, telling them about her visit with Mam. When she got to the part about the Shad attack, she paused.
“Tiny was hurt in the attack.” She regarded Kron anxiously. “Have you heard…is he, all right?”
“Tiny is fine,” Mimsie assured her. “The fairies brought word. He’s with his mother. Don’t stop. What happened next?”
“Well…” Raine took a deep breath and told them about the dead men and how she’d used the binding word to keep the rock troll from killing her.
“Y
ou heard the giant use the binding word?” Kron asked.
“Yes, but I didn’t know what it was,” Raine said. “If Squeak hadn’t come to me in a dream and given me a hint, I’d have been a goner.”
“A goner?”
“Dead, dear,” Mimsie said, patting him on the arm.
Sparks shot up at the contact, but Kron didn’t seem to mind. “Rock trolls are proud, and they hate to be outsmarted,” he said. “Blederak was angry?”
“Furious,” Raine said. “He tried to kill me when the sun came up. I stuck him to the side of the mountain and left.” She looked down at her plate. “I was so scared. I didn’t know what to do.”
“Why didn’t you wear the boots Ronnie made you?” Mimsie asked. “If you had, you wouldn’t be in this fix.”
Kron coughed. “Pardon, my love, but I did not make the boots. Deekie did.”
“Same difference,” Mimsie said, waving her hand. “You made Deekie.”
Raine gaped at the god. “The boots on the stairs were from you? Why?”
“You’re in a strange place,” Mimsie said, “and you’ve never traveled much because you were always too sick. They’re to help you find your way.”
“Find my way where?” Raine asked, bewildered.
“Wherever you need to go. I worry about you.”
“That’s sweet, Mimsie, but did it occur to you to leave a note? Something like Dear Raine, Here’s a pair of boots for the directionally challenged. Oh, and mind what you say, or they’ll run away with you.”
“Watch your sass, girl.” Despite the admonishment, Mimsie’s eyes danced. “Did they really run away with you?”
Raine held up two fingers. “Twice. I nearly had a heart attack.”
Kron chuckled. “Deekie loves surprises.”
“He certainly surprised me.” Raine pushed her plate away. “I need to get word to my friends. I’ve been missing more than a day. They’ll be worried.”
“I’m afraid it’s been more than a day, Rainey,” Mimsie said. “You’ve been gone the better part of a week.”
“What?” Raine jumped up from the table. “That’s impossible. The attack was yesterday. I got here a few hours ago.”
“It’s been five days since you entered the cave,” Mimsie said. “I looked in on you and you were asleep in the tub. Kron and I talked it over, and we decided you needed the rest.”
“I was asleep in the tub five days?”
“Give or take a day. Time flows differently around the gods.”
Raine slumped back into the chair and dropped her head in her hands. “A week. I’ve been gone a week.”
Somewhere in the valley outside the cave an animal bayed, the wild, keen cry of a predator scenting its prey.
Raine lifted her head. “What was that?”
“That’s Raven,” Mimsie said. “He’s been looking for you. Out of his mind with worry, bless his heart.”
Kron gave Mimsie a look of reproof. “I told you ʼtwas ill advised to keep him from the valley. I fear he is perturbed.”
Mimsie shrugged. “He’ll get over it. Raine was exhausted. She needed her rest.”
There was a flapping noise at the mouth of the cave, followed by a shuddering howl from the foot of the mountain.
“Flame has returned,” Kron said, rising from the table. “Let us go and meet him.”
Raine followed Mimsie and Kron from the dining chamber into the main gallery.
Morven? The dragon galumphed down the passage and into the cave. Raven is here, and he is a troll.
“Raven is a troll?” Raine said, swallowing nervously. Another eerie howl drifted up the mountain, this time closer. “He doesn’t sound happy.”
The Raven-troll is not happy. He has slashed many things with his claws. The dragon’s snout quivered. Flame smells ham.
“On the table,” Kron said. “I left it for you.” Fondly, he watched the dragon thunder away. “He is prodigious fond of ham. It’s the honey glaze, I suspect.”
“Sweets aren’t good for him,” Raine said with a distracted frown. “They give him a bellyache.”
She forgot her concern for the dragon at a deep snarl from the entrance to the cave. The fairies in the passageway flickered and went out.
Within the utter gloom of the cave shaft something moved, and a tremendous black troll stepped out of the dark tunnel. The troll’s glowing yellow eyes fastened upon Raine. The beast’s body contorted, and Raven stood in the doorway. His face was ashen with weariness, and there were lines of strain around his eyes and mouth.
“You,” he said, stalking up to her. “Have you any idea what you’ve put me through?” He snatched her close before she could answer. “Never again. If I must build a tower with my own two hands and seal you inside, brick by brick, never again.” He released her and stepped back. “Are you hurt?”
“No, I’m fine.” Raine’s hands flew to her burning cheeks. “Really. I’m sorry you were worried. I took a bath. When I woke up, it was five days later.”
Raven stared at her. Slowly, his lips curved in the ghost of a smile. “You must have been exceptionally dirty.”
“Not really,” Raine said. “I think Kron had something to do with it.”
Kron rumbled deep in his chest. “Aye, ʼtwas my doing. Her aunt insisted. She is a tigress when it comes to her cub. The rowan has called a ledderad?”
“Yes, Lord Kron,” Raven said. “The griffins were sent some days ago.”
“Glonoff was invited?”
“Nay. My father and I discussed it. We decided ʼtwould be a farce.”
Kron grunted. “Glonoff will use the slight to his advantage and send birds of his own, telling the other rulers that Raine was forcibly removed from his care.”
“That’s a lie,” Raine said.
“Glonoff and the truth have neʼer been closely acquainted,” Kron said. “He will use deception and guile to weaken your cause.”
“You’re a god,” Raine cried. “Why don’t you stop him?”
“He can’t, Raine,” Mimsie said. “Glonoff is Magog’s disciple, and the gods don’t interfere with one another. It’s a god thing.”
“A god thing?” Raine forgot her fear of the intimidating god and glared at Kron. “So, you won’t help us.”
“Hush, child,” Mimsie said. “He’s trying to help you now. Ronnie?”
Kron turned to Raven. “Is your father aware that Glonoff has signed a treaty with the Torgs?”
Raven frowned. “Forgive the impertinence, Lord Kron, but surely you are mistaken? Glonoff would be a fool to do such a thing. ʼTwould be putting his head in the wolf’s jaws.”
“Nevertheless, he has done so,” Kron said. “Perhaps he weighed the odds and decided the alliance worth the risk. Queen Balzora’s spies have confirmed it, as Brefreton knows.”
“Bree knows?” Raven’s jaw tightened. “If he has informed the rowan, I have not been told.”
“Brefreton seeks to protect Tannenbol, his home for lo these many years,” Kron said. “However, his utmost aim is to destroy Glonoff. The Dark Wizard slew Brefreton’s mother in front of him, and hunted his children down and killed them, one by one. His hatred for the Dark Wizard is absolute.”
“Glonoff is Bree’s father,” Raine blurted. “Glonoff told me.”
Raven frowned. “When did he—” His expression cleared. “Ah. The day you went into the woods?”
“Yes.”
“And you said nothing?”
“The time never seemed right,” Raine said. “Anyway, I think Gertie knows.”
“No doubt,” Raven said. “ʼTis a cagey old troll, and ʼtwas she taught Brefreton wizardry.”
“I bear the troll hag no fondness, but she is a skilled adept, I will allow.” Kron stilled, and his eyes became unfocused. “They are here.”
“Who�
�s here, Ronnie?” Mimsie asked, her voice rising in alarm.
“Peace, my love. Raven knows.” Kron regarded the warrior with an inscrutable expression. “They wait for you beyond the shield. Will you abide here?”
Raven bowed. “Thank you, Lord Kron, for your offer of succor, but I will face them.”
“Face whom?” Raine demanded, confused by the swirling tension in the room.
Kron ignored her. “I will bid you farewell, then. Raine, worry not about the dragon. You will be reunited in time.” He turned to Mimsie. “Come, my love. ʼTis time for them to depart.”
The god tromped away, and Mimsie took Raine aside.
“Bye, dear,” she said, giving Raine a peck on the cheek that stung like a bee. “Try to stay out of trouble. What am I saying? You’re always in trouble. Be careful, and—” She glanced at Raven and lowered her voice. “Don’t forget to look in the mirror.”
“The mirror? You know about the mirror?”
“Yes, dear. Ghosts talk. Tekla told me all about it.”
“But, Mimsie, the mirror’s—”
The ghost lifted a hand in farewell, and the cave grew muzzy. When the fog cleared, Raven and Raine stood at the end of the valley. A shield was up, separating the valley from the world. It was like looking through frosted glass. Dimly, figures moved on the other side.
“Come,” Raven said, taking her by the hand.
They entered the shimmering wall together. Raine felt a tingling sensation, and then they were through the shield. She looked back. The valley was gone.
“Tro, we must have been in the cave longer than I thought,” Raven murmured.
Raine looked around and stifled a gasp. Spring had flown, and the hills were the vibrant green of full summer. In the distance, silver and black flags fluttered in the breeze; an army encampment, by the look of it. A lookout spotted them and sounded the alarm. A troop of warriors fell into formation and marched across the field.
“Why are those men coming toward us?” Raine asked, growing alarmed. “What do they want?”
“Me,” Raven said, stepping away from her. “Go to the camp. My father will take care of you.”
A Muddle of Magic Page 39