Berlina's Quest (14 page)

Berlina and Quince sat in comfortable chairs in the latter's study and watched Darvid pace the floor. Darvid was ranting. “I don't see why we can't get going. We need to get home, so Mother knows I am ready for my twenty-first birthday and my coronation. Why do you people insist on dawdling?”

“Because, my brother,” said Berlina, “if we were to do that, we would be unlikely to make it home. Prince Drailsen is only a day or two away. He has that scum-sucking traitor Zatarra with him, and an unknown number of troops. The last count we had was fifteen or twenty, and I'm sure he picked up the survivors from that camp down the road. A small contingent—you, me, Felistia, Lathan—would be wiped out in a trice.”

“Couldn't we borrow troops from Quince?”

“No, you can't borrow troops from me,” said Quince. “I'm not splitting my forces like that. I'm already down by a large number from their treacherous attack earlier. We're going to follow Berlina's plan and wipe them out here.
Then,
you go home.” He turned and asked, “Berlina, do you have any better idea when they will arrive?”

“Tomorrow, maybe the next day. No later. I expect them to come marching up the road, assuming everything is okay. That's why we left the banners and pennons in Drailsen's colors flying from the battlements. That's why I had Madam Clotilde put the wards back up. That's what they will expect to find.” She winked at Quince when she said this, her head carefully turned so Darvid couldn't see. “Also, it's why I had the dead sorcerer's robes laundered…someone will stand right where they expect the entrance to be, wearing those robes. All will look normal to them.”

“Then?” asked Quince.

“Then, the supposed sorcerer will have trouble. He will be unable to open a gate through the wards. No wonder, since he will be no sorcerer at all, just a trooper in robes. This will cause confusion, and our troops will come out from behind the castle on both sides and attack Drailsen and his men in a pincer movement.”

“Yes,” said Darvid, still pacing, “but why do you say I can't participate in the attack?”

“Because your life is too valuable. We must make sure you remain alive and able for the coronation, Brother,” said Berlina. “The future of Jylyria depends on you.”

“All right, all right,” said Darvid as he flung himself into a chair. “Somehow, avoiding the battle sounds cowardly, but I see your point. My duty, my destiny lies on the throne and not on the battlefield.”

Berlina gave a little sigh of relief.

* * * *

It was close to noon the next day when Drailsen's company came into view. They were marching down the road as if they owned it, taking no precautions at all. As they approached the spot where they expected to have a gate opened for them, a herald at the front of the company blew a blast on a trumpet and called out, “All make way for His Highness, Prince Drailsen.”

The fake sorcerer just inside the wards waved a stick around, made mysterious gestures, and then signaled to the men to enter. However, when those in front reached the wards, they were unable to pass through and were forced to stop. Those behind them continued forward until all of them got jumbled up, any traces of formation lost. There was much yelling and complaining.

Suddenly, two companies of Quince's men appeared on either side of the castle and moved in on Drailsen's men, hacking and slicing. Leading one of the companies was Lathan, and he decapitated half a dozen of Drailsen's men before they even realized they were under attack. Those on the outside of the jumble fought back, but those squeezed into the middle were helpless to assist.

Berlina, disguised with a glamour that made her appear to be merely one of Quince's warriors, rode around the outside of the melee and into the road. There, she faced a number of Drailsen's men who realized they were in trouble and were trying to escape back down the road, away from the castle. Waving her wand, she called out, “
Af-dauthjan
.
Af-dauthjan
.
Af-dauthjan.”
With each utterance of the spell there was a flash of violet light and a soldier fell dead from his horse and landed on the ground, often to be trampled by those still alive.

Between Quince's men attacking from both sides, and Berlina's death spells, it was not long before most of Drailsen's force was gone. All that remained were Drailsen himself, the sorcerer Zatarra, and one soldier who had so far miraculously escaped death.

A trumpet blast came from Quince's troops, and Prince Quince himself rode up. “Surrender or perish, Drailsen,” he called.

Drailsen dropped his sword and raised his hands, as did the lone remaining soldier, but Zatarra called out, “Fool, we will never surrender.” He waved a wand, and suddenly, there was a wall of wards around the three of them. “You cannot do anything to us while I have the magic power to protect us. We took your castle once, we took the Crown Prince as a prisoner, and we will repeat those victories.”

Quince looked at him scornfully. “You think so, traitorous sorcerer? Betrayer of your Queen Regent, you deserve nothing but the worst of fates.” He looked around and spotted the one of his soldiers wearing a blue scarf. It was Berlina, glamoured as a soldier, but with the scarf to identify her. He beckoned, and she rode over next to him. In a low voice, he said to her, “What do you want to do about this?”

Berlina answered back, also keeping her voice low, “I want to kill Zatarra. After that, Drailsen is your prisoner. Do with him as you see fit.”

“Fine,” said Quince. “Zatarra is yours.”

Berlina turned and faced the sorcerer. In a disguised voice, she said, “Face your death, traitor. I grant you only one mercy, that you shall die a clean death rather than suffer torture.” She started riding toward him, the glamour hiding the fact that she was using her wand.

Zatarra was laughing, expecting that his wards would stop a common soldier. His laughter changed to shock as Berlina and her horse rode right through the barrier. “No!” he cried. “This cannot be! Go back, devil, spawn of the underwo—” His voice stopped abruptly as Berlina's sword skewered his heart, and he dropped to the ground, spurting blood.

Berlina sheathed her sword and rode off toward the back of the castle, waving to Quince as she went. Taking that as a signal, Quince motioned to several of his men who took Drailsen and his last soldier prisoner and led them off toward the dungeons.

* * * *

Quince, Berlina, Darvid, Felistia, and Lathan gathered in Quince's study. Darvid was protesting loudly, “I was watching the battle from one of the towers, and I don't understand what happened. The fight was going our way. We would have won eventually, but then that lone horseman…who was he? What did he do?”

“I promise you,” said Quince, “that whoever it was, it was not a man in my service.”

Berlina had her hands over her mouth, trying not to laugh at Quince's statement.

“In fact,” Quince continued, “it may have been some sort of phantom, conjured up by the witch, Madam Clotilde. I believe she was watching, casting death spells at Drailsen's men. The way that figure went through Zatarra's wards, one could hardly believe it was a man at all. I think Clotilde's magic played a decisive part in our victory.”

“It doesn't matter much, does it?” asked Berlina. “Zatarra is dead, Drailsen is captive, and you, Darvid, are free. Free to go home for your coronation. As soon as we take care of one little errand first…”

“I don't understand this, Berlina. Why can't we go directly home?” asked Darvid. “Why do we have to go to this Black Fortress?”

“If you can't see it any other way, look on it as a favor to our late father. When Lathan became injured in battle, Father insisted on keeping him on as a palace guard. Father's will required that Lathan be kept on even after his death. From some rumors I have heard, those in the Black Fortress
might
be able to cure Lathan, to restore him to what he was before that battle.”

“Where did you hear such ridiculous rumors?”

“From Madam Clotilde, the village witch. She has numerous contacts in the magical community and has heard of similar cases where the Ultimate Wizards have performed near-miracles.”

“Oh…well, all right. That's different,” said Darvid. “I hate to waste the time, though. We need to get home before my birthday.”

“It will only take us a day or two to get from here to the Black Fortress. I can't say how long we will have to remain there, but I don't think it will be long. Once we get going, we can plan on a few shortcuts…like taking the short road across the desert instead of that long detour to the north.”

“Is that safe? When they brought me here, they took the long way around. I think they were afraid of the desert.”

“I guarantee you, it will be safe. The ones who brought you out here were fools. We can ride across the desert road in perfect safety.”

“That's another thing. Why are we going to be riding horses instead of taking one of those nice carriages? I'm sure we could hire a coachman and a footman, and it would be much more comfortable.”

Berlina looked exasperated. “My dear brother, there is no telling what we may encounter. In one place, at the city of River Crossing where there has been a bridge as far back as the memory of man goes, the loathsome sorcerer Zatarra destroyed it. Whether they have rebuilt it I do not know, but with what I heard of their High Mayor, I doubt it. If the bridge is still missing…we crossed the river in a way that works for people and, just barely, for horses, but it would never work for one of those carriages.”

“The carriages got here,” said Darvid.

“Yes. Yes, they did, but the carriages—the men bringing you—were ahead of Drailsen and Zatarra. It was after you and Drailsen passed, that the bridge was destroyed.”

“Oh, I see,” said Darvid. “Well, if you say we must go on horseback, can't we at least get started?”

“Yes, let's get started. We could have left twenty minutes ago if you hadn't stood here arguing.” She turned and led the way down to the castle gate where Felistia and Lathan waited with the horses.

All four mounted and rode out of the gate. Less than two furlongs down the road, there was a branch off to the right. Berlina turned her horse into it and said, “Come. This is the path leading north to the Black Fortress.” The others followed her.

The northward path was very narrow, and Berlina dropped back to where she could talk to her brother. “You see,” she said, “we are not yet even out of sight of the castle, and already, we are taking a route far too narrow for those carriages.”

Darvid shook his head and said wistfully, “The carriages were so comfortable.”

Berlina once again looked exasperated as she spurred her horse forward to resume the lead position. The path they were following—one would be hard-pressed to call it a road—was smooth and well maintained, but it wound in and out among the hills. There was no sign of civilization. No houses, no cultivated fields, and no people.

As they moved on, they began to notice strange, black flowers growing here and there. By the time it was getting dark, and they had to stop and camp, the black flowers were more plentiful. Berlina had Felistia distract her brother, so he wouldn't notice that she was putting up wards around their campsite. The night passed, and with the dawn, they had breakfast from the food in their saddlebags.

“Doesn't look like there's much chance of living off the land around here,” said Berlina. “I don't even see any bargabirds for eggs.”

When they had eaten, they mounted and rode on. The path was so narrow that only two could ride abreast. For a while, Berlina and Felistia were riding side-by-side so they could talk. Berlina said, “Lathan did a great job in that final battle. You know, when he first joined us, I was annoyed that it was he, rather than someone else, who came to rescue us from that dungeon. Somehow, he grows on one, though.”

“Are you getting fond of him?”

“Of course not, of course not, but I do hope that the Wizards up ahead will be able to restore his mind. I really would like to see him normal again.”

“What difference would it make? Remember what you said earlier about a princess taking up with a common guardsman, and how your mother would have a fit?”

“Well, if I
did
wish for something like that, remember my mother is ill and may not last long past Darvid's coronation. I love my mother dearly. I would not wish her ill, but I imagine I could persuade Darvid more easily than my mother. Of course, that's just daydreaming, a fantasy. It would never happen.”

“A daydream, hmmm? Right. Never happen.”

The second day was a totally boring repeat of the first, and with the coming of dusk they camped again. The third morning started off the same but soon changed. When they had been riding for an hour or so, they rounded a large hill and saw, some distance in front of them, three black spires reaching into the sky. Berlina pulled her horse to a halt and said, “Look! That must be the Black Fortress. We are getting close.” They started up again, now pushing to move a little faster since their destination was in sight.

It was almost noon when they rounded another hill, finding themselves on an area of flat ground and facing the Black Fortress. The building stood alone, with no wall or fence around it. In the center of the building wall, facing them, was a doorway with a small gatehouse next to it. Inside the gate house, a man in robes was sitting and watching them. A hitching rail stood about twenty feet in front of the gate house. Berlina rode up to the rail, dismounted, and tethered her horse. She walked toward the gate house, signaling to the others that they should stay back.

Before she could say anything, the man in the gate house asked, “Who are you, and what do you want?”

Berlina answered him, almost in a whisper. “Is there any way to keep this private? I can answer your questions, but there are some things that would be better kept from the ears of one of our party.”

“Of course,” said the man. He pulled out a wand and waved it. “There is now a barrier of silence between us and the rest of your party. I repeat, who are you, and what do you want?”

“I am Berlina, Princess of Jylyria.” She pulled out the gold medallion that identified her as one of the royal family and displayed it briefly to the man. “I am also a witch, a student of Forsythia of the Order of the Flowers. This is what we must keep from one of our party—the one in the silks of the royal colors. He must not know I am a witch. As to what I want, the other man in our group has suffered horribly from a spell—a spell created by your people. I want to have the spell removed, which I understand only your wizards can do.”

“Fascinating. You present an opportunity for an interesting task. One we have not seen for a while. What is this spell, and how was it cast on this man?”

“The spell was titled ‘Becloud the Mind of an Enemy', and I found it in a book in the secret laboratory of a traitorous sorcerer named Zatarra…now, thankfully, quite dead. He had spread the story that the man, Lathan, was caught in a crossfire of spells during a battle, but I never believed that. When I found the spell in Zatarra's lab, I knew what had really happened. Can you do something for Lathan?”

“I think so. Oh, not I personally. You and this man Lathan will have to visit the Chamber of Ultimate Magic in the heart of our fortress. Only there does the power to do what you want reside. I must warn you, though. It could be dangerous to you. Many witches have died taking their charges to the Chamber. Only the strongest have survived. Are you a strong, powerful, witch?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Well, hopefully you are, and are not just boasting. Go get the one named Lathan. Your other two companions will have to wait outside.”

Berlina walked back toward her friends until she was outside the barrier of silence, then called, “Lathan, come with me.”

He said, “Right, Princess,” as he got off his horse and walked over to her.

She took his hand and led him through the barrier of silence and up to the gate house. Another man in robes came out and indicated that they should follow him. The passageway they took was dim, lit only by occasional torches. It twisted and turned, but tended downward.

Finally, they reached an open space in front of an ornate, bronze door. The man leading them turned and said, “Lathan, you have been brought here by Berlina in order that we may repair the effects of a spell cast on you by an evil sorcerer. Is this what you want?”

Lathan looked at him for a moment, then said, “Dis is what da princess wants me ta do?”

“Yes, it is.”

“If da princess sez I shud, I wanna do it.”

“Fine, Berlina. You will have to participate in this, and it could be dangerous to you. Witches who have tried this and were not strong enough have died. Are you ready to take the risk?”

“I am ready,” said Berlina.

The wizard waved his wand, the bronze doors swung wide, and they entered the room. In the center was a stand with a giant crystal ball on it. Three more wizards stood behind it. Off to one side was a sort of couch, and on the other side was a chair. The wizard escorting them led Lathan over to the couch, had him lie down, and cast a spell that put him to sleep.

The wizard then led Berlina to the crystal ball. “Stand in front of it, and put your hands on it, palms flat. When the bell rings, you must concentrate on Lathan, and on restoring him to what he once was. You understand?”

“Yes.”

“Stay in place, hands on the crystal, concentrating on Lathan, until the bell rings a second time. Then you may back away from the crystal. There is a chair nearby if you feel you need to sit. Do not be ashamed if you feel too weak to stand and collapse on the floor. It has happened to many. Now, take your position.”

Berlina moved up and placed her hands on the crystal. The bell rang, and the three wizards started waving wands and chanting. The crystal ball filled with clouds and fog, an image of Lathan's face floating in it. Minutes passed, with Berlina standing and showing no signs of weakness. Finally, the bell rang a second time, and the three wizards stopped their chanting.

Berlina backed away from the crystal, then turned to her escort and said, “Is that it? Is that all? Are we done?”

He looked at her, a shocked expression on his face. “You are still standing, and able to speak immediately? You do not feel the need to sit or fall down?”

“No,” said Berlina. “Is that a problem? I feel fine. I just want to know if it worked.”

“We will see in a minute if everything worked. I must tell you, this was where some witches died, and most were too weak to stand or talk for as much as an hour. Never have I seen a witch who was so little affected.” He walked over to where Lathan was lying and examined him. “He appears in good shape. We will now see the results.” He waved his wand.

Lathan's eyes opened, and he looked around. The expression on his face was different, now. The blank stare was gone, and the light of intelligence shined in his eyes. He swung his feet off the couch and went down on one knee in front of Berlina. “Fair Princess Berlina, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. It is as if I had been living in a fog. Now, everything is clear once more. Thank you.” He reached out, took her hand, and kissed it.

“You feel all right now, Lathan? Then, I guess we are done here.” Berlina turned to the escort and said, “Can we get out of here, now? We must be on our way, back to the High Palace of Jylyria, for the new king's coronation.”

“Of course, of course.” He led them out of the room. As they started up the passageway, the bronze doors boomed shut behind them. Eventually, they reached the entrance and walked out to where Felistia and Darvid were waiting.

“How did it go?” asked Felistia.

Before Berlina could answer, Lathan said, “It worked perfectly, Fee. My mind is clear, and the clouds are gone. It is wonderful. I
feel
wonderful.”

They all mounted up and started down the road as the man in the gate house called, “Good luck on your journey.”

This road was not quite as narrow as the path leading up from Quince Castle. It was still much narrower than the main road to the castle, and it was still most comfortable to ride two abreast. While Berlina and Felistia were riding next to each other, Felistia leaned over and said, “You have a look in your eye.”

“A look?”

“I think you were already starting to fall for Lathan before he was restored, and now, I think you're taking a plunge for him.”