The Unwilling Apprentice (Book 2) (19 page)

"But what is the price?" Percy asked him.

Sturgeon chuckled. "Obedience, but we'll bide our time on that." He held up the ring and from the ring sprang two undead horses. "For now we have a city to conquer."

The main group hiked their way through the valley. The darkness and Fred's stretcher slowed them down, and without horses the going was harder. The two-day journey became five, and that was facilitated only with lack of sleep and food. Their predicament was made easier by Ruth's gliding practice as she helped the others find food by scouting the area along the creek bed. Ruth couldn't convince anyone to be carried, but she practiced hauling things by gliding some of the supplies over the rougher parts of the trail. Ned and Pat were thankful for the help, but the soldiers stilled grumbled about the demoness.

At the end of those long five days they stumbled out of the valley and breathed a sigh of relief as they glimpsed Galaron below them. Ned had a grave face and looked back over his shoulder. Pat noticed his concerned expression. "What is it?" she asked him.

"It's what it isn't. The valley is quiet, and I see no movement around the crag," he replied.

"Then deem ourselves fortunate and let's be off," the guard leader snapped.

"Fortunate is all about circumstances, and our circumstances are very grave," Ned countered.

Ned obliged the guards by pushing on, and by the middle of the fifth day they straggled down onto the plain. Hawkins stood at the gate and saw their coming from afar. He gathered a few horses and mounted his own with a few trusted men, and they met the weary travelers on the road a few miles from the city. Hawkins saw that there were fewer of them than there should have been, and they were all worn and tired. "What's happened?" Hawkins asked them.

"Something terrible, but we must report it to the king as soon as possible," Ned replied.

The group was given the fresh horses and led through the city. The guards they left to be mended by their fellow soldiers, but Ruth, transformed into a human, noticed they looked at her out of the corner of their eyes. Their stares weren't friendly. The others hurried to the castle. Martley greeted them at the gate, and her face paled when she saw Fred limp in Ned's arms. She hurried over and set her hands on Ned's horse. "Is he hurt? Where are the others?"

Ned carefully dismounted with Fred, and turned to his companions. "Pat, take Fred to my room and watch over him," he commanded her. She gave a nod, and with help from the guards they carried the boy upstairs to Ned's room.

Martley watched them leave, and once out of sight she looked back to the old castor. "I will show you to the king."

Ned pursed his lips together, but merely nodded and allowed her to lead Hawkins and him to King Stephen. The king awaited them in the throne room with open arms, but they faltered when he saw it was only Ned and there was no sign of his father. "What's the meaning of this? Where is Cousin Michael and my father?" he angrily asked Ned.

"Dead, and still dead," Ned hastily replied. "But your foolish priest has managed to raise your father's fallen army, and they destroyed most of the pitiful guards you sent with us."

King Stephen stumbled back as though struck by a hand. He slowly shook his head and his words came out in a hoarse whisper. "No, it cannot be so. You must be lying!" His eyebrows crashed down and he flew at Ned. He grabbed the calm castor by the scruff of his cloak and shook him. "Why do you lie to me? What purpose do you have in lying to me? Do you work some mischief against the Priests of Phaeton?"

"Mischief has been worked here, and by the priests," Ned calmly replied. "The book Cousin Michael possessed was too powerful for him to master, and he called forth the wrong dead. He spoke a few words at the end of the spell that tells you who is to blame. Deus adiuva me." The king frowned. Hawkins noticed Martley start, but said nothing.

"I-I don't understand. What does this mean?" King Stephen demanded to know.

Ned straightened and angry brushed off Stephen's hands. "That doesn't sound familiar to you, Your Highness? You who announce yourself an enemy of Canavar and yet you don't even know his words?"

"What words are these? What do they mean?" Hawkins spoke up. The words were unfamiliar to him.

Ned half turned to the guardsman. "Deus adiuva me. Those are the words bound to every spell created by Canavar," he explained to him. "Cousin Michael spoke those words at the end of his spell, and revived the undead. He paid for his mistake with his life, but we can avert the same disaster for Galaron." He swung around and stood tall before the confused and cowering monarch. "Your Highness, you must gather an army and lead them against your own dead."

"T-this must be impossible. What you say isn't possible," Stephen mumbled. The king saw that the three before him looked at him with disgust, and he gathered his wits. He calmly retreated and sat on his throne. "I will not believe the words of a castor. Show me proof of what happened, and I will followed your request."

Ned narrowed his eyes. "The words of your own men can attest to that. Three survived of the twenty you gave us," Ned told him. He turned to Hawkins. "Will you please fetch-"

"Sire!" The closed doors of the throne room flung open and a member of the castle guards stumbled into their presence. He ran down the carpeted floor and knelt down before the king. "Your Highness, a message from Tramadore. They have been attacked, and are pleading for assistance!"

King Stephen jumped up and his eyes widened. "What? Where is the messenger? Let him speak with us!"

A figure slipped into the room and hurried toward them. Ned raised an eyebrow when he recognized Percy Clavier. The young man knelt before the throne, crossed an arm over his chest, and bent his head. "I apologize for being the bearer of bad news, but your guard speaks the truth. My father, Lord Sturgeon, attacked Tramadore two days ago and I rode as swiftly as I could to deliver the message of help to you. Tramadore needs a friend, and you are her greatest friend."

King Stephen's mouth flapped open; he glanced helplessly between the man at his feet and his advisers. "What is this? What dark sorcery has come to the land?"

"Dark sorcery is indeed at play, Your Highness," Percy replied. He raised his troubled eyes to the king. "My father controls an army of the dead from the Valley of the King. Through them is how he took control of the city and castle."

Martley stepped forward and crossed her arms over her ample chest. She raised an eyebrow as she looked on the young man. "And why do you come to us for help? Why are you not at your father's side and rejoicing in his victory?"

Percy glared at her. "I am not a traitor, my lady. My loyalty is to Lord Tramadore, who is even now a prisoner inside his own castle."

Hawkins stepped forward and unsheathed his sword. He pointed the blade at Percy's head. "How are we to believe you? What proof do you bring to us that your aren't a false witness?"

Hawkins' blade cracked, and the point fell harmlessly to the ground. On the floor beneath it lay a metal dart. Hawkins followed the direction and started back. The others followed his gaze and looked upon a darkly cloaked figure. Percy stood up and frowned at the guardsman. "This is my father's former assassin, Deadly Sins. He agreed to follow and protect me."

"Deadly Sins..." Hawkins whispered in awe. His face hardened. "What would make a hired murder change allegiances?" The cloaked man didn't reply.

"One moment! One moment!" King Stephen cried out as he held his arms over his head. He stomped down off his high throne and stood among the group, whipping his head from one to the other. "What is this all about?" He turned to Percy. "Did your father and you not go with the others to the Valley of the King?"

Percy bowed his head. "We went there, Your Highness, and witnessed the black priest raise an army of the undead from your own soldiers. I believe it was my father's intent to see the display, for after we were saved by the boy he was given command of the army by a figure in white."

Ned shot forward and grabbed Percy by the collar too fast for the young man to avoid his grasp. The old man's voice was strained, like a tree bent and ready to snap free or break. "A figure in white? What did he look like?" Percy pulled at Ned's hands, but the old castor roughly shook him. "What did he look like?"

In another moment Deadly Sins was between them, and he pulled Ned off the young man. Hawkins caught Ned, and the old castor steadied himself while Percy pulled at his collar and coughed. "I didn't see his face nor catch his name, but he gave my father a ring of stone. With that ring my father took possession of the army and the rest is as you know. He captured the city and imprisoned Tramadore."

"What of the defenders? Were there no guards?" Hawkins asked him.

Percy gave a nod. "A few men of the army escaped and some joined my father, but most were slaughtered or taken captive. Those that escaped are encamped on the plains. My father intends to solidify his hold on the city and destroy them before marching on the rest of Ralcott. He won't stop at the borders for I believe his intention is to take Galaron and all the world if he can," Percy replied.

Ned turned to the king. "What now, Your Highness? Will you offer your services to Tramadore in her hour of need?"

King Stephen nodded his head. "Y-yes, of course we will help our old ally. Hawkins, assemble several legions and make ready to march this day."

Hawkins bowed his head. "Shall I inform Lady Lamikan of the commands?" he asked his king.

Stephen furrowed his brow and finally shook his head. "No, I will have her remain here with the guard to protect the city. We don't know whether trouble will arise while you're gone."

All in attendance were surprised by the King's order. Ned raised an eyebrow. "You don't believe it's necessary for your Captain to command your army?"

"She is captain of the guards, and as such she will remain with those who protect the castle and the city," King Stephen snapped. He whipped his head over to Hawkins. "Now get the men ready. Take all the war horses if you must."

Hawkins hurried from the room and Percy made to leave. "I must return to Tramadore and see how I can help Captain Spalding. I will watch the west for your coming." He bowed and left with the assassin.

Martley turned to the king. "Your Highness, perhaps more men should be given in aid to Tramadore, and Lady Lamikan should be at the front leading her men."

"My men," King Stephen corrected her. "And my word is final. Tramadore will be given a few legions and no more. If they fail we will need all the protection we can spare to protect Galaron from this undead army."

"A few legions may not be enough to counteract Sturgeon's army," Ned spoke up.

"It will have to be for I won't give them any more," the king insisted. His head whipped between the two. "That is my final word on the subject, and should Lady Lamikan object tell her I will abide no disobedience from my officers."

Ned frowned but bowed his head. "Very well, Your Highness. I will inform Lady Lamikan of your decision." He made for the door and was intrigued when Martley followed. When they stepped out into the entrance hall and the throne room doors closed behind them, he looked her over. "Is there something I can do for you, Lady Martley?"

He noticed her clasped hands shook against her stomach. "I'm concerned about the boy your brought back. Is his injury serious?"

"It may be, but no spell can cure a weakened soul," he replied.

Her face paled. "He used a great deal of his magic?" Ned gave a nod. "I see. Then only time will allow him to heal. I will pray for him." She turned to leave him, but Ned wasn't done.

"Speaking of time, how is your wound?" Ned asked her.

Martley turned to him with a puzzled expression on her face. "My wound?"

"Pardon my intrusion, but you move rather stiffly. I thought perhaps you had injured yourself," Ned told her. His eyes trailed down her body to her left side. "I have some ability in treating wound, perhaps you would like my assistance?"

Martley smiled sweetly at him and curtsied. "I see nothing escapes your careful eyes, Sir Edwin. My injury will heal in its own time, but I ask that you take better care of the young boy on your next adventure. I believe we would both be distraught if another boy were to die on your watch."

Ned flinched back at the insult and the woman parted from his company.

CHAPTER 19

While the adults managed the affairs downstairs, Pat and Ruth made Fred comfortable in Ned's bedroom. He was laid on the bed and Pat ordered the guards away. Suggestions for a doctor were politely declined. Ned had told them Fred needed time, and no doctor in the world could speed that up. Pat sat on the edge of the bed next to Fred while Ruth stood in front of her. She cleaned his bare skin and set a hot cloth on his forehead. He was neither hot nor cold, but very still; his breathing was shallow. Pat brushed aside a loose strand of his wild hair. She waited for him to bat away her hand and open his eyes, but he lay still. His condition hadn't changed over the last few, long days, though he was more gaunt and pale than before.

The room was very quiet. The silence made Ruth uneasy. "Perhaps there is a healer of magic in the city who can help him?" she quietly suggested.