The Sorceress
The Second Tale From Carrock
Page 3 of 4
Dawn came, bringing a new day of bondage for Alick. Here he was, exiled to this small house in one of the villages of Carrock. Most people gave him a wide berth, knowing why he was here. Onri had long ago taken Dylan’s “gracious” offer and left the lands altogether, going who knows where. It was probably somewhere where he could have all the women and wine he wanted.
The ex-wizard chuckled to himself at the news he’d gotten from some “friends” that day. Roanna was said to have kidnapped the two royal children and driven them to Damrok. It was almost too good to be true.
“And to make the story perfect Lord Dylan shows up and asks me to guide him into Damrok. How insane!” He nearly screamed in laughter. It was just too funny, but he didn’t know yet that the joke was on him.
A small company of seven horses left the castle. Only four were mounted, one had only a saddle and the last two were loaded with supplies. The leading was a dappled gelding mounted by the lord of Carrock himself, silently staring into the late fall mist. Behind him the lady and Lora rode on a white mare and a black one respectively. The Scholar followed, holding the reins of the two bays and another dappled horse. His own had the color of soot, except for a large white blaze on its forehead. It was the only stallion of the lot, usually quite wild, but now submissive under the southern man’s gentle hands.
They traveled on in silence, stopping for a quick rest and lunch around noon. Tabea complained to Dylan of being sore, but said she would ride on. Now he and Savoy switched places and continued on until late afternoon with two or three short rests to accomadate the still not so well lady. As dusk was settling they drew up their first camp in the shelter of some large trees.
“I have to do something,” the lord announced after haveing finished their supper, rose and disappeared into the woods. A few minutes later the howl of a wolf chilled their blood. It was answered far off. Tabea knew that her husband was calling the leader of the Gray Pack, which he had headed for nearly two years. She was right. Only a half-hour after calling, a noble wolf broke from the thickets to stand in front of Dylan. He was large, having grown a bit since the days when the lord had been enchanted and his leader. He was also old and the golden eyes displayed wisdom and cunning. They were also full of joyful submission. A brown spot on his head gave him his name — one that was feared by all of the Royal Wolves and by men who happened to have crossed paths with him at one time or another. He let his tongue hang out and laid his head to the side, sitting back on his haunches. Then he gave a series of howls and yips — the wolf-tongue that his lord had learned to speak in the days of his enchantment.
“I’m so happy to see you again, Dylan,” he yipped.
“And it’s good to see you, Brownie. It has been a long time.” The wolf scraped the ground with one paw.
“You and your mate have been locked in the stone walls for very long.”
“Yes, our pups have grown and are now quite rambunctious. But Tabea has not been well for nearly four seasons.”
“Wolf-Tongue told us,” Brownie answered, alluding to Stev Pulleny.
“So you saw him?”
“Only briefly as he traveled back to your stone walls.” The man nodded to himself.
“I have something that is very difficult to tell you, my friend,” he sighed. The wolf closed his mouth, but not before running his long tongue over his muzzle. The eyes were now curious.
“The sorceress has come and taken my pups, Brownie. I don’t know why, but I will have to find them. Tell me, has anything unusual happened in the last days?”
“There has,” the beast growled in return. “One of my older pups told me of a black thing with horses riding through the forest at a high speed. It was going towards the sunset. Swift said she could smell humans in it and she heard a mad laughter from it. It sounded like a woman.” The lord put one hand to his forehead and ground his teeth in disgust.
“So she got away after all,” he groaned. It took him a few minutes to compose himself.
“I have a favor to ask my friend,” he finally continued.
“Ask it,” the wolf barked in return.
“I want you and yours to watch the lands very carefully, because I’m going after the sorceress. The high marshall and Wolf-Tongue will be leading the people. They will need help — a lot of it. Will you be there for them?”
“With all of the Gray Pack and the other Royal Wolves of Carrock, Dylan.” He looked at the man very wisely. “After all, I did pledge my life to you — and don’t worry. Tomorrow morning you will have an invisible escort with you to protect you.” He rose, his tail whipping around his flanks. “Until we meet again,” he howled throwing his head back. Then he was off through the thickets.
“Until we meet again,” the lord answered quietly in the tongue of man.
The next days went by in a similar fashion — long rides and short nights and rests. Tabea was clearly weakening again, and if it hadn’t been for Swift bringing Dylan some special herbs, she would probably not be able to ride at all. She smiled wanly at her husband the fourth night out.
“I might not be up to this after all,” she whispered.
“You are, dear, you have to be. You have to break that sickness and it will only work if you fight it.” She nodded and sipped at the tea he’d made from the herbs. In that moment The Red, Swift’s mate, broke from among the high bushes and came to the lord. He inclined his shaggy head in submission.
“My lord, my mate and I wish to travel openly with you,” he yipped quietly. “It is also her father’s request.” The man glanced to where the Scholar and his daughter were sitting. Savoy nodded, while Lora just stared at the large beast in fear.
“I believe it would be all right, The Red,” Dylan finally answered. The wolf bowed his head again and gave a short bark. A few moments later a slightly smaller wolf, this one flecked with white and gray, came into the light of the fire. She gazed around the small group before going to the lady and giving her an affectionate lick on the hand. Tabea placed her fingers between the pointed ears. Then Swift turned and slowly went towards Lora. She cowered back against her tree, hazle eyes growing wide.
“She won’t hurt you, Lora,” Dylan said with a smile. Slowly the southern girl held out one hand. The wolf-maid eyed her for a moment and then her long tongue whipped out, gently running across the girl’s brown fingers. The head tilted to the side, awaiting the return greeting. Timidly, the Scholar’s daughter placed her hand where Tabea had. Swift sat back on her haunches and yipped happily.
“She’s saying she’s happy to meet you, Lora,” the lord interpreted. The Red settled down next to Tabea to keep her company, while Swift decided she would rather stay with Lora, much to the surprise of the girl.
“I’m not so sure about this,” she whispered as the large beast lay down next to her, head erect, staring towards the forest.
“She won’t hurt you, Lora, I promise,” Dylan answered. “Her name is Swift and I’m quite certain she likes you.”
“And by the way, wolves make great warm water bottles,” Tabea added with a secret smile to her husband.
“But not so good as my wife,” he answered, wrapping his arms around her. They settled down for a quiet night with Swift and The Red keeping watch.
Alick’s village had come into view. It was about ten days since they’d left the castle and the horses had gotten used to the wolves’ presence. Lora was also much more at ease with her new friend. The Red had been nicknamed TR by now and he seemed to like it quite a bit. There had been some debating the night before as to who should go and see the wizard.
“I believe that you, Dylan, are the only one who can do that,” Savoy had finally told him. “You and TR ought to be the ones to visit him.”
“No, he’s deathly afraid of wolves,” Tabea reminded them.
“Then he’ll have to get used to them and we’ll start him off early,” her husband answered, liking the Scholar’s idea. “Alick hates my guts and the only way that he’ll back off is if I have some very striking arguments with me. I think TR is the right one to take along.” That had stopped all argument, but now Dylan wasn’t so sure that this was a good idea, after all the ex-wizard was his arch enemy. It would be rather strange to drop in on him and ask him for help. But I’ve come this far, he reasoned, there’s no turning back now. And along with that thought he fired a prayer to the Word. He would help the lord for sure.
Alick’s house was a very comfortable one located at the other end of the village. The small company stopped at the inn, while the “committee” went on to “enlist” the ex-wizard’s aid. The lord paused before knocking on the massive wooden door. There was a faint shuffling sound and then it swung open to reveal a drawn face framed by white hair and bushy white eyebrows. The cheeks, chin, and upper lip were still smooth though, clean shaven that morning. The dark eyes burned at the lord of Carrock in hostility.
“Dylan á Carrock!” The old man’s voice was hard and dry. “What are you doing here?”
“Hello, Alick. I’ve come to ask for your help in a very important matter.” The dark eyes scrutinized him for a long moment before the door opened to admit him. TR nosed his way in first. The ex-wizard leaped back from the large gray form as if burned.
“Get that thing out of here!” he screamed.
“That is The Red and he is my witness. He’ll stay.” There was a finality to the lord of Carrock’s words that the wizard did not dare to object to. He reluctantly let the beast take a comfortable place beside the fire and the younger man a seat next to the window.
“I see that your house is quite comfortable, Alick,” Dylan remarked.
“Yes it is, but that is beside the point.” The old man sat down across from him and again studied him. “What do you want from me?”
“You have probably already heard about what happened to my children.”
“Yes, and you want me to take you into Damrok, right?” The dark eyes twinkled with a twisted delight as the ex-wizard chuckled to himself. “This is too good to be true, Dylan á Carrock. You coming to seek help from your old enemy — from the very wizard who enchanted you. This is just too good to be true!” And he roared with laughter.
“I know that, Alick,” the lord returned quietly. “I need your help to get into the sorcerers’ castle to rescue my children and take on your sister.”
“Ah, so you are going to get rid of all the wizards and witches in Carrock, aren’t you, young lord?” the old man mocked.
“No, only those who are stupid enough to attack me personally.” There was a slight growl to the tone that instantly took all of the mirth out of the old man. Dylan relaxed just slightly, staring into the depths of those dark eyes full of hatred.
“I am asking you to do something for me and I won’t command you to do anything, Alick,” he said evenly. “I know I have the authority to order you to obey me, but I won’t. It’s too much to ask of anyone, even my arch-enemy.” The ex-wizard could no longer hide the fact that he was impressed by what the lord of Carrock had just told him. Still, some part of him wanted something out of the deal.
“What will be my reward if I go along?” he wheedled.
“I will give you full freedom,” the younger man sighed. “You will be able to come and go in Carrock as you please. You will be a true citizen again and — if you wish — you could even live in the castle again.”
“This really means a lot to you, doesn’t it, Dylan á Carrock?” There was a strangely gentle tone in his voice.
“Yes, Alick, they are my children and I must get them back before that sorceress does anything to them.” The old man lowered his head thoughtfully for a long time, making the other think that he’d gone to sleep.
“The odds aren’t bad, Dylan á Carrock,” he finally answered. “I’m impressed that you would trust your arch-enemy so much, perhaps too much?” He chuckled softly. “I will help you, m’lord, in exchange for my freedom.”
“Then it’s a deal,” the lord answered, extending his right hand. The ex-wizard took it.
“Deal.”
“Good, we’ll be leaving the village tomorrow at sunrise.”
“I will meet you at the inn.” They rose and went to the door. TR went out first, followed by a silent Dylan.
“I will see you tomorrow, then.” The other just nodded and they parted company. Alick stood for a long time, staring after the receeding form of Dylan á Carrock. He was impressed, very impressed. And, yes, the joke had been on him. Slowly he was beginning to respect the young lord that he hated so much.
“He has a very big heart,” the old man muttered, finally closing the door. “That is very good, but it can be very dangerous.”
Kyle sat up, blinking in the darkness of the big room. He stared at a point in front of him, wondering if he was still dreaming. Where was he? And what was that dream? He tried to remember, but everything was fuzzy. Slowly he sank back into the fluffy pillows. Maybe Auntie Roanna would have an answer for him. He glanced over beside him, where Asha was curled up. Funny, he thought, I can’t remember going to bed last night. As a matter of fact he couldn’t remember anything, except for Asha and Auntie Roanna. But maybe his aunt would have the answers. Maybe... Heavy vapors of sleep drifted over him and after a while he’d dropped off again.
The door to the room cracked open just slightly, letting a shaft of pale light lay itself across the bed and illuinate the boy. A pair of curious gray eyes peered at him and a smoky form slowly passed through the doorway. It resembled a young woman with golden hair. She looked fuzzy around the edges as she sat down on the bed next to him.
“Kyle!” He stirred uneasily. The whispy hand closed around his cold wrist.
“Kyle!” she called again. His green eyes blinked open slowly. They were foggy and he just barely registered the shade sitting next to him. Then slowly his eyes widened.
“Don’t be afraid, Kyle, I won’t hurt you,” the strange apparition told him gently.
“Who — who are you?” he stammered, pushing himself up and back from it. The see-throughish face became very sad.
“You don’t remember me, do you?” she asked.
“No.”
“I don’t remember who I am either,” she sighed.
“But how do you know me?”
“I don’t know.” One hand passed over the white forehead. “All I know is that I’ve seen you somewhere before and that I know your name. I am a prisoner here, just like you.”
“But I’m not a prisoner!” he cried. “Auntie Roanna brought me here.” The strange girl’s brow wrinkled in a frown.
“Roanna ... Roanna,” she repeated to herself. Slowly she stood up.
“Are you — a ghost?” he finally whispered.
“Something like that. I think I’m enchanted.” His eyes grew wide.
“A princess?” he asked, remembering many fairy tales he’d heard. She let her head sink down for a moment, trying to remember.
“I don’t think so, but my big brother is ... is ...” Suddenly the head snapped up and for an instant she became almost solid, the memory returning. “He’s your father, Kyle. Yours and Asha’s.”
“You mean you’re my aunt?” he demanded, unbelieving.
“I think that would be true,” she answered, slowly fading again. “Maybe you’ll help me remember my name, too.” He shook his head.
“I can’t even remember my Dad,” he said glumly. “I wish I could.”
“Then let’s try to do that together, but not now. My captor is coming.” She smiled sadly. “Good-bye, Kyle. I’ll be back. But you must keep me secret!” With that she turned and walked through the wall beside the bed. The boy was too shaken to scream. What was that? Who was that? Keep her secret — his aunt — his father’s sister. From Asha, too? He nodded to himself. From Asha, too. It was his secret! No one would know. Maybe they’d find her name. And maybe his Dad, too? He smiled to himself and snuggled under the covers. Yes, maybe that find his Dad. That would be nice.
“Dad,” he whispered into the dark. “Come and find me, Dad!”
Stev walked back and forth in the room where his wife lay. It was too much for him to bear, seeing her lying on the bed, seemingly asleep. He remembered a fairy tale where a prince had woken a princess with the kiss of true love. He’d tried it on Alisande, but she was still asleep. She sometimes moved, mumbling things. It was clear that she was dreaming something.
“I just wish she’d wake up,” he told himself and walked to one of the windows with the heavy drapes on it. He pulled them aside a bit and stared out into the night. The moon was past three quarters. Soon it would be full. Soon she’d be awake and they would be able to talk for a night. But it was only one night out of thirty. Slowly he began to understand what Dylan and Tabea must have felt during their enchantment. He also wondered about something Savoy the Scholar had told him the evening before they’d left.
“The Word will guard and protect you, ambassador. Pray to him. He’ll help you make it through this time.”
“So please do,” he prayed quietly. “Please do.”
This castle was a fun place to be! The two children of Carrock were allowed free run of their floor of it and the one above, too. They explored the rooms, finding many strange things there. In one there were many suits of armor, each of them with a weapon in its hand and a strange emblem on the chest — a claw with five fingers. This scared Asha a bit and she urged her brother to get out of there. He complied and a few minutes later they peeped into another room. Three walls were covered from floor to ceiling with mirrors. They walked in and stared around at the many reflections of themselves. Asha went and made faces at herself in one of them. They looked sadly like little beggar children now, their clothes tattered and their faces pale. The little girl had a light red spot on her forehead from where the sorceress had kissed her. Kyle’s had already vanished and with it the memory of that strange ghost he’d seen two nights before. Neither of them noticed the raven that was sitting on the window sill.
In her room Roanna smiled to herself. They were slipping ever more under her spell. She’d noticed that the boy had acted a bit strangely the day before and wondered about it. Could it be that cursed spirit of Alisande that was floating around the place, captive? She must not be allowed to get close to the children again. Most of all she must never find out what her name is, otherwise the enchantment would be broken. The sorceress got up from her table and stared out into the late afternoon light. If only she could tie that ghost up in chains, but no, that was something that she couldn’t do, even if she broke the laws. It was impossible! She would just have to live with the risk. And soon it wouldn’t be a risk anymore. Soon she’d have the place that she deserved and then she wouldn’t have to face the problem of Alisande being disenchanted, because she would have them all under her spell. She giggled to herself. It was too good to be true. In a few days it would be time.
If the sorceress had looked out of the southern windows of her castle she would have seen a small company of riders and two wolves quietly set up camp in the shadow of the black walls. It had been a surprisingly short journey from Alick’s village, only four days. And yet it was more than a fortnight that Roanna had kidnapped the children. A strange uneasiness was overcoming Dylan, making him ever more watchful. For the last four days he’d slept little — too little according to the Scholar. Even the ex-wizard seemed touched by the lord’s worry for his children. He approached Dylan as night was settling.
“I would like to help you, Dylan á Carrock,” he began haltingly, pulling a small black pouch from his belt. “Here are some herbs that will help you relax and sleep well tonight.” The lord just waved one hand, too tired to say anything. Alick turned to the lady.
“Tabea á Carrock, perhaps you would give your husband a broth of this. He needs sleep badly.” The lady raised one eyebrow suspiciously.
“I understand that you don’t trust me, lady of Carrock,” he said sadly, “but I would hardly poison the only man who could give me my freedom, would I?” She looked into the dark eyes, scrutinizing them. They seemed clear and honest enough, but she still couldn’t be sure. Yet if he was being honest, Dylan would really need the sleep badly.
“All right, Alick,” she sighed. “I’ll give him your medicine.” And she went about getting a cup of warm tea ready. The ex-wizard watched her quick movements and pale face thoughtfully. He’d seen the marks of the sickness in her blue eyes. So Roanna is behind this again, he thought. Something tugged at him silently. He could lead them into the castle and then abandon them in the labyrinth. Then he could join Roanna again and let his powers revive. It was so tantalizingly close, but he remembered the talks he’d had with the Scholar and his hate of that man had vanished as he saw the great wisdom.
“You were spared for a reason unknown to us, Alick,” he’d explained. “Usually the Word destroys any wizard who steps over the line, but you are alive. Shouldn’t that make you greatful enough to follow him and perhaps become a Scholar rather than a wizard?” Perhaps, the ex-wizard now thought. It was true about the wizards that stood against the Word were destroyed completely. Why was he spared? Could it be because of his knowledge of Damrok? No, there were enough people who could lead the young lord and his friends into the black walls. Something else that Savoy had said came to his mind.
“The main reason that the Word gives anyone a second chance is because he loves each and every one of us. Sometimes it even seems that he loves those who run away from him even more than those that come to him without so much resistance. He chases them down and when he gets his hands on them, they usually are glad to surrender their lives to him.”
“So you have been chasing me, have you, Word?” the ex-wizard whispered. He bowed his head in heavy thought. “Very well, I will try to trust you. But...”
No buts, Alick, he heard a quiet Voice answer.
“What?” He stared around, looking for the source.
No buts. I want you unconditionally. The Voice wasn’t really audible, it was just in his head, but he knew it was real.
“Very well,” the ex-wizard muttered. “Unconditionally.” He smiled to himself. “I think you have just won one of your most recalcitrant fugitives, haven’t you?” The Voice didn’t answer, but he felt as if the whole universe was suddenly laughing. The Word had won once again, but it was the sweetest defeat Alick had ever experienced. It was freedom. Slowly a smile spread across the old, wrinkled face and his eyes began to shine. It truly was freedom.
It took some time for Tabea to convince Dylan to drink the sweet-smelling liquid, but he finally did and as soon as he was done, his head drifted down into his wife’s lap and he fell asleep.
“Yes, that will do him some good,” the ex-wizard said quietly, leaing over the lord. “This way he’ll be strong enough for the hardest part of the journey in the morning.”
“He will be,” Tabea sighed, “but I don’t think I will.” The bushy eyebrows went up.
“Are you not feeling well?” She shook her head.
“Let me see your eyes.” It was not a request. Slowly she raised her head and let him stare into the blue depths. He grunted to himself, squinting at her for a long moment.
“Hm, hm. I know this sickness. Roanna is the only one who can induce it.”
“You mean she was the one who enchanted Dylan’s mother?” the woman asked a bit shocked.
“Yes, but at my request.” It sounded heavy, almost sad. “It was my lust for power that caused it. And it was that same lust that led Roanna on her way.” He looked up at the full moon above the castle. “It is a painful thing, Lady of Carrock, having a past as I do. Thank the Word that you don’t have or understand it. And now sleep well and deeply.” He turned back to her and breathed on her lightly. Slowly the golden-brown head sank down and the blue eyes closed. The ex-wizard rose and looked at the castle once more. He looked to where Savoy was sitting beside the fire, Lora asleep across from him. In an instant he rushed into the darkness silently. There was one more thing he must do before they could enter those ancient walls of evil. How good that it was full moon. It would make things so much easier.
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