Nicholas Raven and the Wizards' Web - Volume 1 (54 page)

“No doubt,” he agreed. “Therefore, I shall be happy to present your request to King Justin in the morning. I see no reason why he should object.”

“Thank you!” William said. “As much as I like it here, I feel kind of useless doing nothing. I wish we could have gone with the others, wherever they’re headed.”

“You mean Nicholas and Leo?”

“Yes,” Brendan said. “You don’t suppose the King would change his mind and let us tag along, do you?”

“No chance, I’m afraid.” He lowered his voice and glanced out the alcove, wary of any passersby. “King Justin prefers that that journey be made in secret. The fewer eyes that notice, the better.”

“I understand. So I hope we can go on our own journey,” William said, “even if it is just tramping around the countryside for a few days. And I don’t care who sees us!”

Nedry raised an eyebrow upon hearing those words, a new thought taking hold. “Where would you go?” he asked.

“We want to explore the southern reaches of the kingdom,” Brendan said. “Perhaps along the Pine River into Bridgewater County and a bit beyond. I’ve been studying maps in the Citadel library.”

“Excellent choice,” Nedry said, noting to himself that they would be taking a route opposite that of Nicholas and Leo. He rose and shook hands with Brendan and William, apologizing that he must be on his way but assuring them that their request was as good as granted. “But keep this matter between us. I’ll let you know the King’s decision soon,” he promised as the two princes repeatedly thanked him before they departed, leaving the King’s advisor alone in the alcove to ponder the matter for a few more minutes before his meeting with the seamstresses.

When Nedry dropped by a short while later, the women were busily tailoring travel clothes and long wool overcoats for Nicholas and Leo’s trip, laughing and enjoying tea as they attended to their duties. As Nedry entered the large stone room replete with looms and spinning wheels and shelves crammed with bolts of materials and spools of thread, an older woman in charge greeted him.

“Hello again, Nedry,” she said with an eager smile. “It’s a rare chance that you ever stop by, and here it is that you visit us twice in two days. Why are we so honored?”

Nedry grinned as a stream of sunlight breaking through the clouds spilled onto a slate floor through a round stained glass window. “I’m flattered that you consider my visit an honor, Miss Alb, but I wanted to see how you were progressing on my request.”

“Swimmingly!” she said, gently touching the back of her graying hair and wiping out the wrinkles in her work dress. “Everything will be ready by tomorrow morning.”

“Excellent. But I’m wondering if I might make an additional request,” he added, “hoping it won’t be too much of an inconvenience.”

“Certainly not,” she said, motioning him to a small table that served as her desk. She sat down, offering Nedry a chair on the opposite side. “Some tea?”

“None at the moment, thank you.”

“Then how may I further help you, Nedry, with this mysterious assignment?” Miss Alb asked, brimming with anticipation.

“Well, ma’am, if at all possible, I’d like you and your seamstresses to make two second sets of travel clothes, though not as many are needed in this case. And two more wool overcoats as well.” Nedry furrowed his brow as he gazed appreciatively at Miss Alb. “Will that present any problems or delays?”

“As the request comes from you, none that I can foresee. I’ll just add a few more workers to get everything completed on time,” she replied, happy to be of service. “Then maybe one day over lunch you can tell me what all this sartorial secrecy is about.”

Nedry leaned forward and spoke softly. “I’m afraid, Miss Alb, that my job prevents me from disclosing certain details of ongoing operations, despite your valued assistance in such.” He stood and courteously bowed his head. “However, having lunch with delightful company is never forbidden. Day after tomorrow if you’re free?”

“I look forward to it,” Miss Alb replied, blushing.

“I’ll pick you up at noon,” he said before making his exit.

Moments later, Nedry made his way through the Citadel corridors, awash with flickering torchlight and the crisp scent of autumn whenever he passed by an open window. But his mind was elsewhere as he contemplated the timing of Brendan and William’s excursion away from the Citadel and how their little adventure to relieve some chronic boredom might serve his own purposes.

King Justin ordered breakfast brought to his study the following morning so he could eat while scrutinizing several maps of Rhiál and its vicinity before a later meeting with Prince Gregory and his captains. Nedry entered the room after knocking upon the door, apologizing for the interruption.

“Not to worry, Nedry. What can I do for you?” the King asked as he sipped some sweet cider, looking up from his desk.

“I won’t take much of your time, sir, but I was contemplating a minor change to Nicholas and Leo’s travel itinerary.”

“Oh?”

Nedry nodded. “As an added precaution, I thought it might be wiser if they instead left near the midnight hour the day
before
their planned departure at dawn. Let them cross the river in darkness and travel a few miles into the foothills of the Trent,” he suggested. “It will be a moonless sky at that hour, after which they can continue on the next morning at their leisure out of sight of curious eyes. Why draw attention to their departure if we don’t have to?”

“That makes sense,” King Justin said, taking a bite out of a biscuit and glancing at the map in front of him, eager to plot out his journey to Rhiál. “Very well, Nedry. Apprise Nicholas and Leo of the change.” He pointed to his plate. “Biscuit? Cook gave me plenty extra this morning.”

“Thank you, but I’ve already breakfasted,” he said as he ambled toward the door. Nedry turned around as if something had slipped his mind. “Oh, there is one other minor matter. I talked to Prince Brendan and Prince William yesterday, and needless to say, they are a bit on the restless side having to wait all this time before their return trip to Montavia. Possibly an entire month or more.”

“I suppose sitting in on a few strategy sessions will only alleviate their anxiety so much.”

“I’m afraid so. They were wondering if they might take a few days to explore the countryside, with your permission. I got the impression they were feeling cooped up like chickens in a pen.”

King Justin laughed over his map. “I should say so at their age. Last thing they probably want to do is listen to a bunch of old men prattle on while their country is under siege. They’re eager to confront Caldurian
now
. I suppose roaming the hills and fields will help them cope in the meantime and build their confidence.” The King swished his hand through the air in the affirmative. “They escaped and traveled here from Montavia with little difficulty, so by all means, fix them up with supplies and horses and let them at it.”

“I shall do that,” Nedry said. “They’ll probably leave the morning after tomorrow, wanting to spend some additional time first with Prince Gregory to discuss the ride to Montavia. I think they’ll stick to the southern routes along the Pine River, so no chance of them getting lost or in danger.”

“All the better,” King Justin replied, hunched over his maps as he ferociously studied them. “All right then. See to it.”

“Excellent,” Nedry softly said, preparing to slip out the door. “As you wish.”

Nicholas and Leo were informed of the change to their departure time after Nedry spotted them walking across an interior courtyard after enduring three hours of instruction in sword fighting. After lunch, they planned a session of rock climbing upon a stone outcropping farther up the river with some of the King’s guardsmen.

“I’ll be glad to leave earlier,” Nicholas said, massaging an aching shoulder. “It’ll be more relaxing than what we’re going through now.”

Leo and Nicholas remained in the Citadel the next day to go over their route one final time with Tolapari. Afterward, Nicholas enjoyed a long nap while Leo walked with Megan through the fruit orchard under a fleet of wispy clouds tipped by the sun’s golden light.

“I’ll miss you, Leo,” she said, her hand in his as they wandered along a trail of decaying leaves. “Return quickly–and safely–from wherever it is you’re going.”

“I wish I could tell you, Megan, but I’m not allowed.”

“I understand,” she replied, stopping to kiss him while she clasped his hands.

Leo was lost in the warm touch of her lips, wishing that he didn’t have to go. Suddenly he looked up at the Blue Citadel in the near distance. “Maybe we shouldn’t…”

“What’s the matter, Leo?” she asked, noting his gaze fixed upon the granite fortress. She grinned, understanding his sudden discretion. “I know what you’re thinking.”

“You do?”

“You’re afraid my father or grandfather is right now peering out one of the Citadel windows and monitoring your every move.”

“It had crossed my mind.”

“Don’t worry. They’re not,” she said. “However, we aren’t alone.”

Leo looked around. “What do you mean?”

Megan pointed out a man riding a horse in a pasture near the tree line along the river. A second man was hiking through a field across the orchard road in the opposite direction. “Grandfather assigned a few men to keep an eye on me from a distance in light of recent events. I’ve consented not to argue the point this time.”

Leo swallowed nervously. “Are they going to report back everything they see?”

“Of course not! They aren’t spies, Leo. They’re protectors. There are even a few other men watching Jagga near the river,” she said. “
They’ll
do a bit of spying on the Enâri creature to be on the safe side. Carmella said she’ll spend time here as long as the weather holds out since Tolapari has agreed to give her a few magic lessons in his spare hours. Jagga’s moves will be closely watched while they remain on the grounds.”

“I feel in good company, being watched just like an Enâr,” he joked.

“I’m the one being watched. You just happen to be in the line of sight, Leo. So don’t feel too put upon.”

He sighed. “I’d feel less anxious if your father and King Justin knew about us. We never told them about our friendship.”

“No, we didn’t,” Megan replied. “But I did.”

Leo’s eyes widened in panic. “You did?
When
?”

“Yesterday, while you and Nicholas were playing swordsmen. But don’t worry,” she assured him, taking his hand as they walked again. “My father and the King both suspected that we had affections for one another. They’re not blind, after all.”

“And neither had any objection?”

“You’re not locked in a prison cell, are you?”

“Not yet,” he said with a nervous grin. “But I suppose there’s still time.”

Megan burst out laughing. “You are endearing when you agonize so, Leo. But didn’t I tell you there was nothing to worry about? We may be of royal blood, but we’re still regular people. Besides, since you’re soon to be leaving, I suspect Father and Grandfather decided not to make an issue of our relationship. What their attitude will be when you return though, I cannot say. But I believe they have no qualms at the moment.”

Leo sighed. “Still, how am I going to face them next time now that I know you talked about us?” He shot a fearful glance at Megan. “You don’t suppose–?”

“Suppose
what
?”

“That King Justin is sending me on this mission just to get rid of me?” Megan rolled her eyes. “It’s a possibility.”

“Are you sure you didn’t fall and bump your head when you climbed those rocks, Leo Marsh?” Megan giggled, playfully taking his arm in hers. “Let’s go inside and I’ll fix you a cup of tea to quiet your wild imagination. Can’t have you running off to save the kingdom all bothered and such,” she said as the Citadel shimmered in subtle shades of blue in the stabs of autumn sunlight.

A thick fog lay upon the river the following morning, rolling over the fields behind the Citadel with catlike stealth. But a few hours after the sun’s ascension, the swirling white mist dissolved. Soon the capital was alive again with autumn’s cool embrace under a clear blue sky. Inside, Nicholas and Leo made final preparations for their journey later that night, packing up the extra clothes that Nedry had provided and reviewing their map.

They enjoyed a last lunch with Megan and Carmella in a private dining room, feeling as if they were about to leave and never return. Megan and Leo noted a vague sadness in each other’s eyes, both wishing they had just one more day to spend together. Nicholas then raised a cup to his friends, wondering when or if they would ever be together again.

Shortly before midnight, Nedry escorted Nicholas and Leo through the Citadel and out a minor back gate, not speaking a word to the guards at their post. An hour earlier, they had said their last goodbyes to Megan, King Justin, Prince Gregory and Tolapari, at which point they were given possession of the medallion. Nicholas agreed to carry it, slipping the leather cord over his neck and concealing the object beneath his shirt. Now, bundled in long wool overcoats, the two travelers followed Nedry across the fields beneath a starry black sky to an area beyond the stables and lodge houses. Much farther to their right, neither could see any bonfire near the area where Carmella and Jagga had set up camp, assuming they were asleep for the night.