The Wizard's Curse (Book 2) (3 page)

“Is he? I wish I’d known.” Stormaway frowned. “It is very frustrating to be unable to pick up images like you and the woodfolk. I could have told you who he was when you showed everyone the image of the hunt more than a week ago.”

Tarkyn raised his eyebrows, “And?”

“And what?”

“And so, who is he?”

“Oh, sorry. He’s my old apprentice, Journeyman Cloudmaker. And unless I’m much mistaken, he will also have been behind that storm we dissipated last week.”

Thunder Storm looked from one to the other of them. “So, is this Journeyman the driving force behind the search for us? Why would he be looking for us?”

Stormaway shook his head. “No. He is not a leader. He will be acting under orders.”

“Andoran and Sargon told me that the encampment was a gathering for forces who are being financed by some lord, Davorad of Stansbeck. Apparently, he is concerned that brigands are mounting constant attacks on farmers and travellers and has decided to address it himself.” Danton looked at Tarkyn. “Do you know him?”

“I have met him at court. He is a thickset bullish sort of man, not that I suppose that’s relevant. He didn’t strike me as a philanthropist. In fact, I would have said he is the classic sort of parasite that revels in the games of power that are rife at court.” Tarkyn scraped out the last of his porridge and set the bowl down on the ground. “So. I can think of three reasons that he might be doing this. He might be supporting the king by clearing up the countryside on his behalf. He might be supporting Jarand by gathering resistance against Kosar or he might be planning to overthrow both of them.”

“No,” said Danton firmly, “Your family has held the monarchy for over a thousand years. The populace would not contemplate an outsider usurping the throne.”

“I think you’re right, Danton,” put in Stormaway. “From the discontent I heard around the campfires, I would say that Davorad is marshalling a vigilante force to show up King Kosar’s shortcomings. It remains to be seen whether it is a political ploy to embarrass the king or the beginnings of a civil war.”

“Oh stars above! My bloody brothers!” exclaimed Tarkyn. “Why can’t they learn to work together? They look so alike they could take turns at being king if they wanted to and no-one would know the difference – Well, maybe my mother would, but she’d never go against their wishes anyway.” Tarkyn ran his hand through his long, black hair. “But no! Kosar neglects the protection of his people while he fights off power plays and Jarand, instead of supporting Kosar to refocus his energy, grasps the opportunity to undermine him.”

“Which leaves you,” concluded Danton.

“Oh no, it doesn’t!” countered Tarkyn swiftly. “What are you thinking? That I choose which one of my brothers to support? Or that I take them both on and divide the country into three factions?”

“I think you should concentrate on being our forest guardian and protecting us against whoever is hunting us,” said Autumn Leaves, entering the fray. “Perhaps the meaning of the prophecy will become clearer over time. You don’t have to change what you’re doing to make a prophecy come true. It’s not a script. It’s a future reality.”

Everyone stopped and stared at him. Waterstone raised his eyebrows and remarked, “That was remarkably profound, Autumn Leaves. I’m impressed.”

“Although I agree in principle with Autumn Leaves,” said Stormaway, “I should point out that being the hope for the future of Eskuzor is a present reality and an uncertain future”

“Even more profound,” Waterstone nodded approvingly, a twinkle in his eyes, “And so early in the day. We haven’t even finished breakfast yet.”

The wizard scowled. “Waterstone! Will you take this seriously?”

Waterstone suddenly became stern. “And will you take seriously that you are trying to lay an enormous burden on one young man’s shoulders? I remember, if you do not, how hard it was for Tarkyn to come to terms with being our forest guardian. Let us just bring our planning back into the present and stop demanding the impossible from Tarkyn.”

“Easy for you to say,” grumbled Danton. “He’s already supporting you. What about all those poor sorcerers and wizards who are being attacked with no one to defend them?”

Thunder Storm’s deep rolling voice made itself heard, “Ah, but didn’t you say they are organising themselves to defend against marauders?”

So intent were they all on this discussion that they took a while to notice that Tarkyn had quietly stood up and walked away.

Chapter
2

Tarkyn wandered down through the golden leaved trees until he reached the stream. Here, he found a comfortable rock to lean against and sat staring out across the sparkling, rippling water. He let his mind roam out through the surrounding trees and bushes, tuning into the birds and animals around him. He reflected with a small inward smile that there was nowhere he could go where he was really alone. He tuned into a little field mouse that was snuffling around under a nearby bush and asked her to come over to him. The little mouse scurried over the few feet of open ground and scuttled up his leg to sit, quivering slightly, on his knee. Tarkyn sent her waves of reassurance and friendship until she became still and calm. Very slowly Tarkyn reached in to a nearby bush and pulled off a small bunch of dark red berries. He had no idea what they were but hoped that the mouse might like them. He offered one to the mouse who grasped the berry between her front paws and after giving it a careful sniff, began to nibble it. Tarkyn received a little wave of thanks.

Suddenly, Rainstorm and Ancient Oak were standing in front of him. The mouse jerked with fright but a calming message from Tarkyn kept her from scurrying off. Tarkyn looked up at the two of them and smiled, “Hello, you two. Have a seat.”

They both dropped into cross-legged sitting positions.

“Hi prince,” said Rainstorm. “Just thought we’d come down and see what you’re up to.”

Tarkyn smiled broadly at them, “Thanks. I’m fine,” he said, correctly interpreting what Rainstorm meant.

Ancient Oak frowned a little, “You’re not angry at them all for talking about you, are you?”

Tarkyn spread his hands slowly, careful not to frighten the mouse. “Do I look angry? No. I just got a bit tired of it all and needed a break…and a bit of time to think. I’m sure I’ll pick up the thread of the discussion when I go back.” He shrugged and said cheerily, “I’ve already decided what I’m going to do. So I’ll let them know when they’ve had time to talk over all the angles.”

“So what happened to consultation? Aren’t you going to consider anyone’s views?” asked Ancient Oak, with a slight frown. “You’re not coming over all autocratic again, are you?”

“Big brother, I never stopped being autocratic. I just try to act as though I’m not, most of the time. By the way, thanks for supporting me against the others over my rescue of Autumn Leaves. I suspect I did not appear particularly grateful to you at the time.”

Ancient Oak’s cheek tinged with pink. “No, not really. But like you, I didn’t stick up for you for your gratitude. I did it because it was just.”

Tarkyn glanced at him before offering the mouse another berry. When it was happily nibbling again, he looked up and smiled in satisfaction, “I’m developing quite a fondness for mice after my brave little friend in the encampment helped me in my rescue of Autumn Leaves.”  He gave a slight smile, “Did you have to endure a tongue-lashing, Rainstorm, for helping me to translocate and put myself at risk?”

Rainstorm grinned, “Ooh, just a bit. Nothing I’m not used to, though. Poor old Thunder Storm was beside himself. He felt he’d let everybody down, letting you get away into danger.”

“Oh dear. And then I snapped his head off when I got back. I’d better have a chat with him at some stage. He rubs me up the wrong  way sometimes but he really cares about doing the right thing,  doesn’t he?”

“And he cares about you,” added Rainstorm.

Tarkyn smiled, “Yes, I know he does. And I have come to care about him too. So I’ll make sure I sort it out with him.” Tarkyn fed the mouse another berry and gave it a gentle stroke with one finger.

“Right then,” said Rainstorm impatiently, “So don’t keep us in suspense. What have you decided? And why aren’t you consulting anyone?”

Tarkyn looked from one to the other of them in an effort to build the suspense then grinned, “I’m going down into the south west to find Falling Rain and bring him back into the fold, for his sake and for ours. For some reason, I think he’s going to be important to our plans. The home guard, and whoever else wants to, can come with me. We’ll leave some people near here, keeping an eye on the encampment and some people should watch the main road through the forest and gather information on these bandits that keep attacking the travellers. When we get back with Falling Rain, we’ll decide what to do next, based on the information gathered. How does that sound?”

Ancient Oak raised his eyebrows sceptically. “You’re asking us?”

Laughter lit Tarkyn’s eyes. “Oh yes. I’m asking. I just may not listen.”

“Very funny,” scowled Ancient Oak.

“Oh come on, Ancient Oak. Of course I’ll listen. Anyway, there is nothing new in these plans. They are still the same plans we all decided on, the day before the storm. Remember?”

Ancient Oak nodded reluctantly.

“So? Are you happy with them or do you have other suggestions?”

The woodman thought for a moment. “What about this business about being Eskuzor’s hope for the future? Doesn’t that change things?”

A shadow passed over Tarkyn’s face. “I don’t know. Stormaway is right. As a prince of Eskuzor, my life is not just my own, to do with as I please. The same is true of being your forest guardian and liege lord. But Waterstone and Autumn Leaves are also right. We can’t achieve the impossible overnight. So let’s take it one step at a time. First, we’ll gather information and work out how to deal with the crisis facing the woodfolk. Only when that is sorted out and we are clearer about what else is happening, can we begin to consider wider issues outside the forest and whether I should have any involvement in them.”

“And what about the oath and the forestals?” asked Rainstorm.

Ancient Oak frowned, “What about it?”

Tarkyn raised his eyebrows at Rainstorm.

“Oops. Sorry.” Rainstorm did not actually appear to be very contrite. “Well, now I’ve gone this far, you’ll have to tell him. He is your brother after all. You shouldn’t be keeping things from him, anyway.”

“Rainstorm, considering who my other brothers are, that is probably one of your less well considered remarks.” There was an edge to Tarkyn’s voice as he said, “And I think it is my business not yours, how I behave with my brothers.”

Rainstorm was not so easily intimidated. “Oh, get that supercilious tone out of your voice. For heaven’s sake, can’t a person have a simple conversation without you getting on your high horse? If I can’t express my opinion, there’s no point in talking to you. You can disagree with it if you like. That’s up to you. But lay off with the superior tone.”

Tarkyn stared at him, white faced with anger. A wave of outrage rolled out from him and rocked the two woodmen. The mouse on his knee froze. After what seemed like an eternity, Tarkyn turned his gaze to Ancient Oak and, pointedly ignoring Rainstorm, said in coolly polite voice, “Ancient Oak, I did not intend to exclude you. It appears that Rainstorm and presumably the rest of the forestals, in fact possibly all woodfolk, have become subject to the oath and its sorcery, not just those who swore it originally. Rainstorm and North Wind were there when we made the discovery and I have only told Waterstone about it subsequently. I didn’t want the controversy it would cause, to distract us from the rescue of Golden Toad and his family.”

Ancient Oak’s eyes narrowed. He went to speak but then said nothing. The mouse, seizing its opportunity, scuttled off, having decided that the atmosphere was not worth the berries.

Still in the same unnerving voice, Tarkyn said, “No. I didn’t do it. And yes, I know you’re upset about having more of your kindred subject to the oath and I’m sorry. I promise you I did not engineer it.”

“I didn’t think you would have. I would have liked to be included, though.”

Tarkyn unbent enough to give a small rueful smile. “You’re much more contained than Waterstone, aren’t you? He acted as though the world had fallen in when I told him.”

Ancient Oak smiled back, “No wonder you weren’t anxious to tell anyone else.”

Tarkyn shook his head. “That’s no excuse. I should have told you too. But, to tell you the truth, it’s a long time since I trusted my sorcerer brothers. So for me, it does not naturally follow that because you’re my brother, I include you in everything.”

Ancient Oak looked down at his hands for a moment then glanced back up at Tarkyn, “Well, just remember that a family is there for you to call on, in times of need. That is our code. You don’t have to, but I’m here if you need me.”

“Thanks, Ancient Oak.” Tarkyn smiled warmly at him, “I will remember.”

Rainstorm swallowed nervously and said in a small, strained voice, “I’m here too, you know.”

Tarkyn’s face hardened as he swept his eyes around to look at the younger woodman. Before he could speak, Rainstorm spoke more formally than either of them had ever heard him speak before, “I am sorry, Your Highness. I can see I’ve overstepped another of your boundaries. I beg your pardon. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that.”