The Archmage unbound m-3

by Michael G. Manning

  “That won’t be possible,” she replied with a smile. “I am leaving for the capital in an hour, remember?”

  Dorian’s courage was still holding. “Then when we both return?” The hall had gone dead silent again as every ear strained to hear their conversation.

  Rose’s playful side was in full control however. “Perhaps…,” she answered coyly.

  That was more than Penny could take though. “Rose!” she snapped.

  “It was a joke!” protested Rose. “Of course I will Dorian,” she assured him before turning her attention back to Penny. “I’m pretty sure he would have realized I was teasing.”

  “Don’t be so sure,” Penny advised her. “I’ve known him most of my life and he can be terribly thick sometimes.”

  Dorian looked to me for help while they talked as if he wasn’t there. I shrugged and stuffed a piece of bread in my mouth. Who am I to give advice regarding women? I finished chewing and pointed at the food. “You should eat while they’re ignoring you. Otherwise you’ll be hungry later,” I told him pragmatically.

  It was closer to two hours before we actually got underway, but eventually we were all gathered near the circle that would take us to Lancaster. Since I was the only one that could activate the teleportation circles I would have to take Penny and her escort to Lancaster first before returning to take myself, and those coming with me, to Albamarl.

  We still had told no one of Penny and Miriam’s unexpected visit to Lancaster. According to our plan I would tell Joe McDaniel and some of the household staff right before I took my final jump to Albamarl. If anyone had plans for Penny or my mother that should effectively disrupt them.

  During the war with Gododdin I had constructed an outbuilding in the castle courtyard to house the circles leading to Lancaster and Arundel, as well as one or two other places. Since then I had had the barn like structure replaced with a heavy stone building with double doors to allow for wagons. The larger circles were individually housed within the building, in stone partitioned rooms. Each room was also closed with a heavy wooden door and kept locked.

  I had learned the hard way what could happen when an enemy capable of using a circle gained access to my home through one of the matching circles. It had left enough of an impression on me that I still kept a guard on watch inside the building at all times, in case doors and locks weren’t enough.

  I stood in the circle for Lancaster now, with Penny and Miriam beside me. Dorian stood before us, resplendent in his new plate armor, and behind us were four more men he had chosen to accompany them. I focused my will and spoke a word and then we were in Lancaster. At my urging James had had it locked up as well, but I was able to unlock the door from within, letting us out into the yard.

  The guard there wasn’t expecting us, so he seemed a bit startled when we emerged. Ordinarily if someone unexpected showed up it was just me, or me and one or two other people. Today we came through the doors with five armed men, and one of them looked ready to take on an army.

  “It’s me, Willem! No need for the horn!” I said quickly. The poor fellow had his instrument almost to his lips before I got his attention.

  He paused, horn in hand, while his eyes finally came unstuck from Dorian and focused on me. Once he recognized me he relaxed. “Oh it’s you Lord Cameron!” he said promptly. “Why do you have an army with you? You scared me half to death.”

  Dorian laughed inside his armor, with the visor down Willem hadn’t recognized him at all. He lifted it to grin at the guard. “What? No greeting for an old friend?”

  “Dorian!” shouted the man, recognizing him at last. “Where did you get that armor?”

  I was a bit proud that my handiwork would elicit such an excited response but I had other things to do. While they caught up with one another I gave my mother a hug before turning to Penelope. “I’ll miss you,” I said.

  “It’s just a week or so,” she answered. “It will be nice catching up with Genevieve and Ariadne. I haven’t seen either of them in almost two months. I’m more worried about you. Try not to start a civil war while you’re in Albamarl.”

  She was smiling as she said it, but there was a definite undertone of seriousness. My mother leaned forward to interject, “Think about Lady Rose. If you start a war she’ll never be able to marry Dorian.” I could only guess that she was referring to the fact that Rose’s father served the king rather closely. I doubted that her father’s disapproval would stop Rose from marrying anyone she chose, but I did have to admit it could make things awkward.

  “I’ll try to wait till after they’re married before I start a war then. Will that be alright?” I asked jokingly.

  Dorian naturally picked that moment to tune back into our conversation. He turned around and asked, “Who’s getting married?”

  “No one currently my friend,” I replied. “Would you mind giving the duke and duchess my regards? I’m afraid I need to get on my way,” I said hoping to distract him.

  “Certainly,” he said.

  I leaned forward and gave Penny a quick kiss before stepping back into the room housing the circle. With a wave I was gone before Dorian could ask any more questions. The ladies could tell him whatever they liked; I wanted no part of it.

  Back in Castle Cameron I gathered up Harold, Rose, and my own set of four guards. The circle that led to my house in Albamarl was smaller, so I would be able to take no more than two people with me at a time. I turned to Joe McDaniel before making the first trip. “I’ll be gone for at least a week. Try not to tell anyone that Penny and Miriam have gone to Lancaster until this evening. If someone is planning something I’d like to give them as little time to recover as possible.”

  “Don’t worry your lordship! Dorian will take good care of them and I’ll be sure to keep my lips sealed till dinnertime at the very least,” he said in return.

  With that I began taking my companions to Albamarl. I transported Harold and the guards in two trips before making the final one with just Rose. “Are you ready my lady?” I asked her while offering my arm.

  She raised an eyebrow. “This is far different than the manners you displayed the last time I went through a portal with you.”

  I had forgotten that incident and it embarrassed me when I remembered. I had been in a rush and had brought her back to Cameron by force. Worse I had slapped her rear to get her moving, much like a drover might slap a mule. At least that had been how I explained it to Penny. I blushed, “I’m sorry Rose. I should have apologized sooner.”

  She took my arm and we stepped into the circle. “No need to apologize. You were under a lot of pressure at the time. I just wanted to make sure you knew that I had not forgotten.”

  I started to ask her what that meant but then I decided I probably didn’t want to know. With a word I took us to Albamarl.

  Chapter 17

  Penelope watched Mordecai step into the circle and vanish, feeling a sudden pang that they had not had time for a longer goodbye. She felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. “It never gets easier,” Miriam told her. “Royce used to take trips into the city to buy materials and I had to do without him for two weeks at a time.”

  For a moment Penny wondered if her mother-in-law were trying to make a point of the fact that her husband’s trips had lasted twice as long, but then she pushed the thought aside as petty. “Did he make many trips?” she asked instead.

  “At least two a year,” replied Miriam. “But sometimes he returned with really wonderful presents… like Mordecai.”

  Penny smiled wistfully, “Your son really is something special isn’t he?”

  Miriam loved nothing more than to hear her son complimented. She linked arms with Penny before answering, “Yes, but don’t tell him too often or it will go to his head.”

  Dorian turned to face them. “If you ladies are ready we should probably go inside and give our greetings,” he said.

  “Well certainly…,” Penny said, but before she could finish her statement the world exploded. C
haos enfolded her and everything became a blur as her consciousness left her body behind and the future blossomed before her eyes. What seemed like an eternity passed, as scenes of violence played out in front of her, while she watched helplessly. Before the end she saw reality split along two possible paths, one dark and featureless while the other held some hope. At the juxtaposition of possibilities stood Mordecai, holding a balding man by the front of his tunic.

  There was death in Mort’s eyes, and anger beyond anything she had seen in him before. “You killed her Prathion!” he said bitterly. “You slew them both.”

  The eyes of the man he held were bulging in terror. “Please, I have a family…” he begged.

  At the utterance of the word ‘family’ Mordecai began to laugh. It was an evil sound, and one Penny hoped never to hear again. Flames began sprouting from Mordecai’s hands as he laughed and while they didn’t burn him the man he held was not so fortunate. “Family is the last thing you should offer in your defense!” he yelled and soon both men were screaming, one with rage and the other in pain and terror. Mercifully the vision ended before it was over.

  Penny found herself on her knees being held steady by Miriam’s strong arms. “Are you alright girl?” Miriam asked, but it was then that Penny’s stomach decided it had had enough and she emptied its contents onto the ground.

  It took a few minutes but eventually the retching stopped and she let Miriam help her to her feet again. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me,” she said.

  “Think nothing of it. I was just worried for you. Your eyes rolled back and for a moment I thought you might be having a seizure. I almost didn’t catch you before you collapsed,” said the older woman. “Let’s get you inside and find some water. I’m sure you want to rinse your mouth after that.”

  Penny kept Miriam’s hand in her own as they began walking, “Yes I think that would be a good idea,” she answered. Dorian stayed close by her on the other side, in case she showed signs of collapsing again, while the four guards spread out around them as they walked.

  A few minutes later she was seated at a table in the great hall of Lancaster Castle, drinking water from a metal goblet. The crisp taste helped her clear her mind but her thoughts wouldn’t stop racing. What do I do? she thought. I have so little time. In the background she could hear Dorian explaining to James what had happened and why they were there so unexpectedly.

  A particularly vivid memory came to mind and tears started fresh from her eyes. Using her sleeve she dabbed at them quickly, hoping no one noticed. If they start to suspect I know what’s about to happen it will be even worse, she thought. She turned to Miriam, “Do you think you could get someone to find Ariadne for me?”

  “She’s here already Penny,” said Miriam, nodding in a direction past Penny’s left shoulder.

  “Oh, of course, thank you Miriam,” she said and rising she walked quickly to Ariadne.

  “Are you alright Penelope? I heard that…” Ariadne started.

  Penny gave her a look that would brook no interference. “Ariadne, do you trust me?” she said quietly.

  “Yes of course,” the other woman answered.

  “Do you have writing materials in your room?” Penny asked.

  “Not much, but I have pen and paper,” Ariadne replied.

  “No I don’t mind at all! Let’s go take a look,” Penny said loudly, taking Ariadne’s arm in her own. “I’ll be back in just a minute,” she said addressing the room. Genevieve had arrived by then and though she looked concerned she nodded her agreement. Miriam seemed positively mystified.

  Once Penny reached Ariadne’s room she wasted no time before preparing to write a letter. “Who will that be for?” asked the younger woman.

  “It’s for Mordecai, but I need you to keep it a secret,” she told Ariadne.

  “You seem awful serious Penny, are you sure there isn’t something else I can do?”

  “No, you’ve done enough, but I need you to promise me a few things,” said Penny.

  Ariadne gave Penny a long look. “You have the same sort of intensity about you right now that you did the night you tried to murder Devon Tremont on the dance floor.”

  Penny was surprised by Ariadne’s acute perception but she couldn’t afford to lose her support now. She decided to try honesty. “There is a bit of similarity between the two occasions Ariadne, but I need you to trust me.”

  “Why?” asked the younger woman.

  Penny took a deep breath. “I trust everyone here, but I’ve seen something and if they realize that, it will change the outcome of things. Does that make sense?” she replied anxiously.

  Ariadne nodded, “You’ve had a vision?”

  “Yes, that’s why I collapsed in the yard. It came on me right after Mordecai left, which makes everything more difficult,” Penny said.

  “Because you need to tell him something?”

  “Yes,” said Penny emphatically. “I need to send a message to him. A message to him in the future, when he returns, and I have to do it without arousing anyone’s suspicion in the present.”

  “Shouldn’t that include me then?” Ariadne asked.

  “I only need you to keep my secret for a few hours,” Penny told the younger woman. “After that it won’t matter very much, the worst will have happened already.”

  “Why do I want to let the worst happen?”

  Penny shrugged, “It isn’t the worst for everyone, just for a few, but if it doesn’t happen everyone will die.”

  Ariadne squinted suspiciously at her. “Define everyone?”

  “Everyone.”

  “Everyone in Lothion?” asked Ariadne.

  “Everyone,” said Penny.

  “Everyone in Gododdin?”

  “All humanity,” replied Penny. “I’m talking about the possible extinction of our race.”

  Ariadne Lancaster drew herself up carefully before answering. “That sounds fairly dramatic, but knowing you I will suspend my normal disbelief. Tell me something else… assuming I help you, who are the people that something terrible will happen to in the short term?”

  Penny shook her head negatively, not trusting herself to speak.

  “Is it that bad?” Ariadne asked.

  Penny’s courage could only carry her so far, and it finally gave out under her, leaving her to dissolve into tears. Ariadne wound up consoling her for long minutes before her composure returned. When she had regained control she asked, “Will you help?”

  “I don’t see that I have much choice, assuming I believe you, and I do. What do you want me to do?” answered Ariadne with some resignation.

  “Let me finish this note. Then I will seal it and hand it over to you. Tomorrow or the next day I need you to find someone to take it to Joe McDaniels, in Washbrook. Tell no one about our talk,” Penny said.

  “That doesn’t sound too hard,” Ariadne observed.

  Penny gave a bitter laugh. “It will be. Things will happen between now and then. Please don’t be tempted to tell anyone what I’ve said,” she told her.

  Ariadne hugged her. “I don’t know what sort of burden you are carrying Penny, but I won’t let you down. Trust me.”

  Her pronouncement almost brought Penny to tears again, but she fought down the urge. With a nod she returned to writing her note. She struggled, trying to decide exactly what to say, too much and Mort would figure out what was going to happen, too little and he would balk at doing what was necessary. In the end she settled on keeping the note short and simple, trusting that Mordecai would heed her advice. I won’t know the outcome either way, she thought ruefully.

  A short time later they returned to the main hall and Penny had to make a few graceful excuses for her absence. It seemed everyone was worried about her now. Eventually she side stepped the issue of her possible illness by claiming fatigue. “If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to rest,” she told Genevieve.

  “Why naturally you do!” said the duchess sympathetically. She wasted no time calling one
of the servants over to lead her to one of the guest bedrooms.

  “I’ll go with her,” announced Miriam. “I wouldn’t dream of leaving my daughter without a watchful eye,” she said with a protective tone.

  Although Penny appreciated the gesture, she wished she could convince her otherwise, but there was little hope of that. Dorian and the guards formed up to escort them through the halls. “That won’t be necessary,” Penny protested. “Dorian you’re enough by yourself, why don’t you let the men take their leisure?”

  Dorian hesitated before answering, “I’m sorry Penny. I’ll have to insist, I promised Mort that we wouldn’t leave you unguarded.” He removed his helmet as he spoke, since its presence seemed rude within the castle.

  She sighed regretfully. She had known it wouldn’t work but she had felt compelled to try. Taking Miriam’s arm she allowed herself to be led down the corridor.

  “You’re shaking something dreadful Penny! Are you sure you’re alright?” asked Miriam worriedly.

  “Don’t worry Miriam, I think I just need to eat something after what happened in the courtyard. My stomach feels dreadfully empty,” she lied. Her stomach was full of butterflies. As they walked Penny thought of something and glancing over she realized Dorian still had his helmet off. “Dorian would you mind putting your helmet back on?” she asked.

  The large man looked askance at her. “We’re inside the castle Penny,” he said, stating the obvious.

  She put on her best stubborn look, “If you’re going to insist on following me around playing bodyguard all day then I’ll have to insist you wear the armor my husband made for you.”

  He stared at her for a long moment before settling the helmet back down on his head. “There, is that better?” he asked with a slight tone of condescension.

  “Yes,” she replied, “but I want you to put the visor down as well.”

  “You can’t be serious,” he said disbelievingly.

  She stopped walking, forcing Miriam to stop with her. “I am absolutely serious Dorian. If you don’t put the visor down I won’t take one step further.” Everyone was staring at her now, including Mort’s mother. Unable to think of a rationale for her behavior Penny resorted to letting a bit more of her frustration show in the form of a wild expression and some tears.