by Pedro Urvi
“And without having the slightest idea why it was happening.” Viggo added. “It was very funny. He looked completely frustrated. For a moment his eyes teared up. I don’t know whether it was rage or fear.”
“Probably both,” said Ingrid. “He deserves it for being a thief and a traitor.”
Lasgol nodded. “I’m with you on that one.”
“When he fell off the horse because of Ona’s attack, I almost burst out laughing,” Viggo said. He clapped his hands, looking at the Snow Panther. “That was a great performance, Ona.”
Lasgol petted her. “She was wonderful. She stayed hidden beside Camu till the moment I gave her the order to attack.”
Ona let out a shy chirp and moved her tail, happy about the acknowledgment.
I hide me and Ona.
“And Camu was wonderful, hiding at the end of the bridge and hiding Ona with him,” Lasgol put in, because he knew Camu wanted his share of acknowledgment.
“Yeah, that was a good trick,” Viggo agreed.
“It’s not a trick,” Lasgol corrected him. “It’s a skill Camu’s developed.
“Yeah. The bug’s skill.”
Camu looked up at him, and his tail stiffened. Not bug.
“He doesn’t like you calling him ‘bug’,” Lasgol reproached him.
“Well, he’d better get used to it. But yes, I admit he was splendid with his ‘skills’.”
I very good.
You were great, Lasgol told him, and stroked his back. Immediately Camu relaxed and went on enjoying the fire and the company.
“And the Summer Slumber traps? How did you think of that?” Ingrid asked Lasgol.
“Was that Egil’s idea too?” Viggo asked.
Lasgol blushed. “No, actually that was mine.”
“Wonders will never cease,” said Ingrid. “That’s amazing. They were awesome.”
“I’d never used them, but it was something I’d been thinking about for a long time. I’d created a couple of prototype traps and they’d worked reasonably well, so that encouraged me to make them for this ambush. In fact I didn’t use Summer Slumber, I used Winter Sleep, which is similar but more potent, even though it takes longer to have an effect. I thought that bearing in mind how large those Royal Guards were, it would work better.”
“And you were absolutely right,” Viggo said enthusiastically.
“I almost had the plan for the traps, so it wasn’t hard to make them. The complicated thing was installing the glass container properly so that it’d break the moment somebody stepped on the trap.”
“You’re really fantastic with traps!” Ingrid said.
“No, not at all … it was just an idea that occurred to me, seeing how well Summer Slumber worked when we used it before. From now on I’m going to try to add gases to elemental arrows and traps. It’s something I like to experiment with … though it’s difficult and rather prone to accidents …”
“Well, keep trying, because it worked to perfection,” Ingrid said. “But do be careful, for goodness’ sake.”
“And be careful not to follow in Egil’s footsteps and turn into a know-it-all like him,” Viggo said sarcastically.
The comment made Lasgol smile. “I don’t think that’ll happen …”
“It wouldn’t be altogether a bad thing,” said Ingrid encouragingly.
Lasgol nodded. “I know, I’d love to know as much as Egil does.”
“It’s what I said, a hit that was well-planned and perfectly executed,” Viggo said. “We ought to do more of this sort of thing.”
“More attacks on the Royal Guard and Ice Magi?” Ingrid asked ironically.
Viggo smiled. “Or similar.”
“I think that just at the moment we’ve had enough of it,” Lasgol said.
“Besides,” Ingrid pointed out, “it might have come out right this time, but that doesn’t guarantee the next ones’ll go the same way.”
“How little you trust yourselves,” Viggo said with an airy gesture.
“It’s called common sense, and it’s something you lack.”
“Well, what I lack in common sense I make up for with my charisma and dominant personality.” He smiled from ear to ear, showing his white teeth.
Ingrid rolled her eyes and put her hands to her mouth to avoid saying something caustic, and Lasgol could not help but laugh.
Viggo funny, Camu transmitted. He too was laughing.
Actually, he is. Although Ingrid’s right, he transmitted back, laughing.
Ingrid strong and smart.
Yes, she is. Strong in character and arm. Intelligent in the military side of things and in life.
Viggo less smart.
Lasgol laughed again. Yes, but we can’t tell him that, or we’ll be in trouble.
Ona swished her tail and chirped in amusement.
Shhhh, don’t let him hear that. You know what he’s like.
We know.
Lasgol petted Camu and then Ona.
“You’ve got the merchandise safe?” Viggo asked.
Lasgol nodded at the satchel containing the Star of Sea and Life, which lay at his feet. “Yes, absolutely safe.”
“Look after the Object well,” Ingrid said with a wink.
“Don’t worry, I’m not going to part with it until I hand it over to Uragh personally. You can be sure of that. When I lost it I felt so bad my stomach turned over. I nearly threw up … several times. I thought I was going to lose Astrid forever.”
“Yeah,” Ingrid said, “we saw how bad your face looked. It was obvious you were having a terrible time. I felt very bad for you,” Ingrid said.
“I did too, more for Astrid than for you, weirdo. I like her very much, she’s one of my own, an Assassin with the guts to do whatever it takes. As for you … well, you’re a kind-hearted weirdo who does nothing but get into trouble. Yes, I know according to you it’s without wanting to, but the fact is, you attract trouble as if you’d been cursed by a witch you’d done something really bad too. Did you steal her potion of eternal youth, or something?”
“I’m not a weirdo,” Lasgol retorted. “And there’s no witch … or anything like that.”
“It was pretty low, that Mage stealing the Star,” said Ingrid. “I hope Orten gives him what he deserves when he finds out he’s lost it.”
“Oh, I’m sure he’ll give him his just reward,” Viggo said. He ran his thumb across his own throat.
“I don’t think he’ll kill him,” Ingrid said. “But he’ll teach him a lesson he won’t forget way.”
“Are you sure he won’t hang him?”
“Without Eicewald at court,” Ingrid pointed out, “they’re short on Ice Magi. They’re not going to kill the second most powerful Mage of the realm while the first one’s away. They’re brutal, but not stupid.”
Viggo nodded in agreement. “I hope he suffers a lot.”
“That’s for sure. They may not kill him, but that doesn’t mean he won’t get taught a lesson.”
“I’m just very happy to have the Star back,” Lasgol said, sounding greatly relieved. “Thank goodness we managed it.”
Viggo nodded. “Thank goodness, you’re right there. You know Uragh, she doesn’t pussyfoot.”
“Exactly. I knew if we didn’t get the Star back there’d be no way to free Astrid. Uragh would never let her go.”
“Or would put an end to her,” Ingrid added. “She’d think we’d betrayed her.”
“I thought that too. I’ve been tormented by all kinds of macabre scenarios these last few days. I wouldn’t have risked going to get her back without the Star. I know Uragh wouldn’t have delivered her. She’d probably have killed her, thinking we’d betrayed her.”
“The Turquoise Queen would have killed you and then Astrid if you’d arrived without the Star,” Viggo said confidently. “Either for treason, or for being so inept as to lose it.”
Lasgol gave a gusty sigh and put his hand into the satchel to touch the Star, as if afraid it would no longer be there.
�
�So what do we do now?” Viggo asked.
“Now we leave Norghana in secret and head for the Kingdom of Rogdon,” said Lasgol.
“To the West?” Ingrid said. “To the Kingdom of the men in Blue and Silver?”
“Yeah, that’s what we agreed with Eicewald.”
Ingrid’s face twisted. “We’ll have to cross the Masig steppes.”
Lasgol nodded. “Let’s hope we don’t have any run-ins with the Masig …”
“Yeah, because they hate us,” said Ingrid.
“And from what my father told me,” Lasgol went on, “the Rogdonians aren’t too fond of us either.”
“There’s no other kingdom or tribe in Tremia who’s in the least fond of us,” Viggo pointed out. “In case you’ve forgotten, we’re seen as the brutes of the snows, the brainless muscle-bound hulks of the North who attack and rob anyone who crosses our path.”
“Every kingdom fears the Norghanians,” Ingrid said proudly. “We’re a strong kingdom.”
“Yeah, and a bunch of savages who’ve been pillaging half Tremia for centuries,” Viggo corrected her.
“That’s all in the past.”
“We’re still attacking the Masig,” Lasgol pointed out, sounding ashamed.
Ingrid had to admit that he was right. She said no more.
Viggo gave them a broad smile. “Well,” he said jovially, “this sounds like another of those entertaining journeys of ours.”
Lasgol snorted dismissively. “We’d better get going with first light. And we don’t have much time either, so we’ll have to press on.”
“As I said, it’s going to be a really delightful journey,” Viggo said. He winked at Lasgol, who had to admit that he was probably right.
Chapter 8
Further north, at the Rangers’ Camp, Egil was studying in the Library. All his attention was concentrated on the thick tome with worn-out covers entitled Heraldry of the Noble Realm of Zangria. He had found this by chance in a box where books were kept which needed repair, either because they were too old or because they had suffered damage. This tome was very old, and something had certainly happened to it, because half of it was illegible, so that he was forced to imagine what was missing in many places. He was so absorbed in his studies that he did not notice two shadows approaching from behind.
It was late and already dark, and although he had to shut the Library and go for his dinner in the dining-room, he had stayed a little longer to go on working. It was important that he should decipher the contents of this particular chapter. He was so focused, that although he heard the footsteps on the wooden floor behind him, his mind did not register the danger. They were muffled footsteps, careful to go unnoticed.
As the shadows reached him he sighed and leaned back in his chair, then stretched. Suddenly his mind reacted and he became aware that he had company. A pair of large hands brushed against his neck.
“What –” he began, but was unable to finish. His heart gave a leap. Was he being assaulted? Was this a murder attempt? In his mind he was rapidly analyzing all the available information.
The hands did not grab his neck as he had feared, but instead covered his eyes. He was left unable to see, and blackness overcame him. Nerves and sudden tension made him reach for the Ranger’s knife at his waist. His mind had already processed the situation and come to a conclusion.
“Who am I?” a very familiar voice asked.
Egil, who was about to turn and plunge the knife into whoever it was who had surprised him, had now recognized who was behind him and relaxed.
“That’s a good question. Let’s see … who could it be?” he said calmly, trying not to smile although he found it hard not to. “Ranger’s hands, large, strong, deep but gentle voice, coming from a height of almost six feet …”
“Don’t you know?”
“Of course I do. Gerd.”
“Yes! It’s me! Surprise!” the giant cried, but without taking his hands off Egil’s eyes. “And guess who’s with me …”
“You’re with Nilsa,” Egil interrupted him.
“Yes! How did you know?”
“How would he know? Because he’s Egil,” Nilsa said, laughing.
Gerd freed Egil, who rose and turned to look at his two friends.
“How wonderful to see you!”
Before he could do anything, Gerd had him in a bear hug and lifted him off the ground. He started to spin round, while Egil laughed happily.
Nilsa waited until Gerd had given free rein to all his happiness, then when she saw that poor Egil’s face was beginning to turn green, she stepped in. “Put him down, Gerd, I want to say hello to him too.”
“Of course.” The giant stopped twirling and put Egil down.
“I’m so happy to see you in one piece,” Nilsa said, and opened her arms wide. Egil gave her a heartfelt hug.
“How did you know it was me with Gerd? she asked him curiously.
“I heard two people: one heavy and large, the other light-footed and nimble. At first I didn’t realize it was you, because I was absorbed in the information in this tome and I even reached for my knife. But then my mind finally registered what was going on and warned me that I knew those footsteps very well. There weren’t just anybody’s, they were the footsteps of two friends, and I’d heard them often enough before. I also recognized the jasmine perfume you use,” he added with a mischievous smile. “But I must admit, you gave me a good scare.”
“Oh, my perfume, that’s right. You smelt me coming.”
“Exactly.”
“You’re getting a lot better at being aware of your senses,” Gerd said, impressed.
“Well, considering they’ve been trying to murder me for some time and I’m spied on day and night, let’s say I had no choice but to sharpen all my senses.” He tapped his head with his finger. “Including this one up here.”
Gerd smiled broadly. “Well, that’s always been pretty sharp ever since we’ve known you.”
“I think I’ve developed all of them even more,” Egil said with a shrug. “Things we have to do to stay alive,” he added.
“Yeah, they do say that necessity is the mother of invention,” Nilsa said. She hugged him again, revealing how happy she was to see him. She could barely contain her excitement and nervous tension.
Egil looked behind his friends. “It looks as though we’re alone. Let me shut this, my favorite place in the world, so that no Ranger can interrupt us and we can talk in peace.”
“Good,” Nilsa said. She looked around. The Library was deserted, and only a couple of oil lamps lit the interior, one by the entrance and the other on the long table where Egil was working.
Gerd was looking around too. “I didn’t spend too much time here, but I miss it all the same.”
Nilsa smiled. “It brings back good memories to me too, except that Ingrid and I didn’t often come in here, we were always in the woods practicing with our bows.” She passed her hand along a shelf full of tomes of knowledge.
“It would’ve done the two of you good to have spent a little more time here,” Egil said in a tone of one giving wise advice as he came back from shutting the door.
“I see you’ve trained your ear thoroughly,” Nilsa said with a giggle.
“You’ve no idea. I can almost hear the footsteps of the library mice.”
“Are there mice in here?” Gerd asked. “Don’t they eat the books?”
“There are, and they do. That’s why we have three cats. But they’re not the best hunters in the north, that I can assure you. Which makes me think of Ona and Camu. How are they? How’s Lasgol? And the others?” Egil was stumbling over his words in his eagerness to know everything at once.
“We’d better sit down and explain,” Nilsa said. “There’s so much to tell.” She sat down opposite Egil. Gerd fetched a chair and sat down at the head of the table between them.
“I’m all ears. Tell me everything. Don’t leave out the smallest detail. The details are the most important thing.”
Nilsa and Gerd were silent, staring at Egil, whose gaze was distant. At last he seemed to emerge from his thoughts and return to this world. Then he asked a number of questions, particularly about the Turquoise Queen, Eicewald, the Frozen Specter and the siege of Norghana.
“I’d have loved to see the Turquoise Realm. It must be a fascinating world.”
“It is, a beautiful and exotic world,” Nilsa assured him.
“Very pretty, it’s true, but there’s a terrible sun, the heat is unbearable and your skin burns in a moment,” Gerd complained.
“Didn’t you like it?” Egil asked him in surprise.
The giant nodded. “Yes, I did, but I’m not sure it’s the best place for a Norghanian.” He looked down at his arms, which had been badly sunburned more than once.
“The siege must have been worth witnessing,” Egil said sadly. “For a scholar of military arts like me, it’s a real pity not to have been able to experience it and learn from it.”
“It was a great battle … which we almost lost,” Nilsa said.
“Thank goodness for the Star of Sea and Life and the Mage Eicewald, otherwise we wouldn’t have survived,” Gerd commented with a snort of relief.
“I’d have loved to be in the presence of an Object of Power and its magic. Every day I’m more and more fascinated by everything to do with magic and how little we know about it. Especially those of us who weren’t born with the Gift.”
“Well, I don’t share that vision one little bit,” Nilsa said. She shook her red mane. “It was accursed magic, very powerful and therefore very dangerous. It’s best to stay away from it.”
Egil grinned at her. “I see you still have the same entrenched ideas about magic.”
Nilsa wrinkled her nose.
“She doesn’t always see it so negatively,” Gerd put in. “I think she’s improving and coming to accept it a bit more.”
She crossed her arms, looking offended. “I don’t know why you say that.”