Greyfax Grimwald (10 page)

After Melodias, of the Circle, and other powerful Masters took up the fray, many long years of weary straggle followed, but the Dark Queen and all her servants were imprisoned in the World Before Time and safely contained there with the help of the White Light of the Star Keeper, mightiest King of Windameir, next servant to the King of All, and Bearer of the Golden Book in which all things that were or are or will be are written in a golden print that is in the eye of the beholder rather than on the page itself. This Master lived in regions far above, ana distant, and the journey there was indeed long, immeasurable in years or space, and although each living thing in the Nine Fields of Windameir had been in the presence of this sovereign lord at one time, few remembered it. Only the oldest and wisest remembered his name, and Lorini and all the other Masters only referred to him as the Starkeeper. Melodias, as well as all the rest, including Dorini, were sons and daughters of this sacred King, and spoke the true name of this King only in the mother tongue of Windameir, and none but the enlightened under stood its difficult and ancient manner.

These thoughts ran through Froghorn’s head as he allowed Pe’lon to be taken to one of the many airy stables built for just such bearers as this. The young elf who led Pe’lon away immediately began a con versation with the horse, and the two, laughing and touching many subjects, disappeared into a high arched doorway, into a cool stable that smelled of li lac and fresh-mown hay, and Froghorn parted with his faithful companion for so long with a call of thanks in Pelon’s own speech.

“Good rest, my faithful Pe’lon, and even the best; cannot reward you rightfully.”

Pe’lon lifted a forehoof slightly and bowed graciously.

“And to you, lightkeeper, deep sleep and a healing heart.”

The elf, amazed at such talk, turned to Froghorn.

“You speak very courteously, Master. It’s rare to find horse and rider so closely bound.”

“It’s rare to find such a horse, or such a rider,” laughed Froghorn, and was gone, changed into the form of a sleek falconhawk, soaring up into the deep azure of the sun-bronzed sky. Higher and higher still he roamed, riding down the back of clouds and up light beams until he perched atop the crease of hori zon that enveloped all the fair kingdom of Lorini and beyond into the already dimming borders about it, until his sharp sight was clouded by the half darkness that covered that portion of the world. Looking down, and hearing a small, faraway voice, he saw a tiny white-clad figure waving to him from the turret of a tower shaped in the fashion of an im mense white turtle. Down he plunged, the soft wind against his wings, faster still, until the wind eased, and light and speed melted him into a beam of gentle sunlight. The figure lost sight of him, and cried aloud.

“Oh, he’s gone.”

No sooner had she spoken than a tall, handsome courtier, in fine silks and velvet, with a splash of lace at his throat, approached her from behind.

“My lady Cybelle, fairest sight that eyes might hold, dearest heart of all that yet live,” and the grand vision of the courtier took the shape of a shining sil ver dove. ‘Tour most faithful servant, Faragon Fairingay, begs your command.”

The dove flew to a perch beside the young woman. Her hair was of a yellow gold mist, burnished like finespun copper, and her face was fairer than Frog horn remembered. He had seen her last quite a long time ago, but she seemed not to age, nor to change. Her blue-gray eyes still laughed gaily, and her mouth formed an almost eternal readiness of a smile that revealed straight, even white teeth. the smile broke now, followed by a lilting laugh.

“My dearest Fairingay, you are come, after all I’ve been so frightfully bored lately. I do hope you have some new ran for me.”

“Dear lady, I’ve traveled far and wide searching for tricks to amuse and bewilder you, but first I must see your mother, if that be possible.”

“Mother always looks forward to your coming. She’s downstairs now awaiting you. We saw you cross our borders ages ago.”

“Then I must go to her at once.”

He turned to leave, then looked again at her shining form. “I promise to show you my travels late. Don’t be saddened if I’m in such haste to leave you. There is much I must disclose to the lady Lorini, and much counsel to seek.”

“You’ll be locked away with her for hours, I know it. But I shall wait upon myself until you come back.” Her smile darkened, and her eyes glis tened. “First Greyfax, and now you. There must be much afoot in Atlanton.”

“He’s here then,” cried Froghorn, and leapt away down the tower steps, not heeding her small cry.

“Oh, go and take the lot of them,” she said sadly to the carved statue of a wood stag, and clasped her arms tightly to her sides. She turned and followed Froghorn down the long stairway that led to the lower floors.

Another elf had gone into the stables, and now led Pe’lon out to the silver flowing fountain in the forecourt, and she decided to go and seek conversation with them, and to admire the beautiful horse.

“At least the elves aren’t too busy to see me,” she said, leaving the tower and winding her way down the outside stairway that led onto the large paths to the gardens and stable quarters.

Below, in the large, comfortable study, Greyfax sat deep in his own thoughts in one of the high-backed, finely carved chairs, and Lorini, also turned inward to herself, stood before the hearth, fireless in the warmth, tapping a slender finger to her chin, one arm resting upon the elbow of the other.

Froghorn knocked softly.

“What took you so long, dragleg? I’ve been wait ing for days,” called Greyfax, looking up, and reaching out for a small silver goblet before him.

“Come in, dear Fairingay. We’ve not been wait ing days, but it might seem so. “I’ve been hearing all the news, and I’m afraid all of it’s distressing. I hope you’ve not come bearing more ill tidings.”

Froghorn bowed low, kissing the lady’s hand.

“No more than Grimwald has already related.”

Froghorn cast a searing glance at Greyfax, who simply laughed soundlessly into his wine.

“Well, come then, and tell me again, then we shall have a nap, and time for you to wash the journey away, and to dine tonight with light heart. I’m sure we may come up with some plan that will check my sister’s, mischief.”

“I’m afraid time is rather pressing, my lady,” said Greyfax, rising and walking to a window that over looked the eastern grounds. Below, he saw Pe’lon standing, an elf on either side, in deep talk. Occa sionally the large head of the horse would nod, or his tail would twitch, and the two elves would double over with tinkling, light laughter. As he gazed downward, Cybelle joined the three, and she stroked the mist-silver neck of the great horse, and spoke unheard words.

“We shall rest here and take our dinner, but we must be away soon after. If matters weren’t so grave, this fair house would keep me long and pleasurably.”

“We’ve hardly just arrived, we can’t go barging

off like that, bolting our dinner and saying our goodbyes from stirrups,” shot Froghorn.

“You really must tarry awhile, dear Grimwald. We haven’t had a good visit since she started this dreadful business again. And it would be nice to have you without worrying about departures before you’ve hardly arrived.”

Greyfax crossed and bowed low before Lorini “I’m afraid it really is urgent we stay only this short time. There are matters so dire I fear even delaying this long may have grave consequences.”

Froghorn looked at Greyfax wide-eyed. “You can’t mean that business before we parted. Surely that’s no cause for any undue alarm. It’s been going on like that for years out there.”

“Yes, years, my dear Fairingay, and it wasn’t this last adventure that I refer to, but one with far more import.”

And what might that be?” Froghorn stared hard at the older, gray-cloaked figure.

“The appearance of a dwarf,” he said softly, meet ing Lorini’s even gaze.

“The dwarf from the River,” she said, drawing up a chair and sitting down, suddenly tired.

“Yes, from the River, and an otter and a bear from there also. There is much movement across Calix Stay, and it seems the time is quickly nearing.”

“Does he know anything yet? Have you instructed him?”

“I said nothing. I must have counsel, and our plans must be made. He’s safe enough where I left him.”

Froghorn looked on blankly.

“Great blade of Arinhod, whatever are you two se creting? What’s a dwarf got to do with all this?”

“Much more than you would ever dream, old boy, indeed much more.”

Lorini rose and walked to the silver decanter on the table.

“Here, Fairingay, take this to refresh yourself. We’ll get to that soon enough.”

Froghorn drained the tankard with a gulp.

“Why didn’t you say anything then, if it was so important? Why, or what, makes one particular dwarf of any great interest in this business?”

Greyfax settled back into the high-backed chair, refilled his cup, and fell silent a moment.

“When you were first entered into the Circle, whenever that was, time seems to slip by me, youH remember that soon after, you and I fell into the hands of Dorini.” He paused, and took a small sip of his drink. “She had offered to treat with the Circle, and called for representatives to meet with her about the terms of her return to the Fields of Light in Windameir. It fell our lot to go, and of course, it was but a ruse to take one of our number hostage. Yet I don’t think she counted on her good fortune at having the two of us show up on the appointed hour, full of good hopes and cheer, and oblivious to the fact she had never planned to come to terms at all and was determined to wrest the reign of these lower worlds from their rightful lords, who serve the One of Windameir.” Greyfax scowled at the younger wizard, who went crimson to his ears. “But that is of no importance now. What is of interest is that be fore we had that fall, I had found out certain pieces of information that led me to believe the Dark Queen was in close pursuit of me, and that she had found out I carried one of the Five with me. This I entrusted to a dear old friend of mine, long since gone over the River, a lore master and keeper of Dwarfkind, very wise and learned, and who at one time served at the court of Melodias in thee capacity of adviser. However, as dwarfs and elves disappeared

from the coming of the Dark Highness, and men more and more came to power, and the great trouble came, there was no need any longer to have a close spokesman from Dwarfkind or Elflkind or Animalkind. All those who were, passed over, and the Circle had to start anew among men. Dorini and her ser vants successfully captured two of the lower worlds, and hold half of this one, as you well know. From her mind came the evil that destroyed commerce be tween the other dwellers of Atlanton Earth and even tually drove men’s other allies underground, or across Calix Stay. All this you will find in your children’s primer, if you want to refresh your memory of his tory.”

Greyfax took a long sip of the cool drink, then continued. “Just about this time, you were admitted to the Circle. Young, impetuous, conceited, but still eager to serve, you had nothing much to do with me then, as I was often away for long periods, and tut inclined when I was about always and forever to be answering your infernal questions.”

“Still aren’t much inclined, to my way of think ing,” broke in Froghorn. “And when you do answer, it’s an hour-long tale I can’t make head or tail of.”

“I neglected your highest quality, dear fellow, which is that of eternal patience.”

“Stay your interruptions, Master Fairingay. He’s not well-known for directness. Have another cup, and listen.”

Froghorn poured out another draft, and sat back, patting his foot anxiously. Cybelle’s long, glittering laughter reached him from the open window, and his mind burned with the longing for Greyfax to go on.

“Of the Five Sacred Secrets, you know the story.’; They were distributed among five of the Circle for safekeeping after it was learned that there was danger and peril and treachery afoot, even among the Circle. That business was dealt with long since, but Melodias thought it wiser for the holders of these secrets to keep them, until such time they would be reunited in the final stroke. The dwarf I spoke of who kept mine safely from her was the father of the dwarf we met on the road, and he carries it inno cently, for his father passed it to him before he crossed the River, and I still had not come for it. And then, after we blundered squarely into the hands of Her of No Light, she thought she had captured one of the Five and had achieved a great victory.” Greyfax chuckled to himself as he remembered the fierce, icy wrath when she discovered he did not hold what she most desired. The darkness of that time covered his eyes a moment, and the room sud denly went cold. Froghorn shivered beside him, and Lorini’s face saddened, and she reached out and touched Greyfax upon the arm. This seemed to dis pel all the gloominess, and Greyfax cheered again, and laughed.

“How well she would have treated us if we hadn’t escaped you may well imagine, old chap.”

Froghorn shuddered again.

“So we defeated her twice. First, by my having left it with my old friend, and second, by escaping her anger. I fear we don’t stand in good stead with our cold Dark Highness.”

“Then if you knew this dwarf to be the son of vour friend, and that he possessed it, why didn’t we bring it here? Why should it be entrusted to a lost dwarf and two animals to keep it safe? She’ll find it surely, with only those three to protect it.”

“She won’t find it, because she won’t think , of ‘those three’, as you refer to them, as being even faintly concerned with any such thing. As long as she thinks of us and the rest of the Circle, she won’t have time to find out.”

“But you also had the Arkenchest. What if some one should see it? Does the dwarf even still have it? I saw nothing.”

“I have it still,” Greyfax replied, lifting from beneath the deep folds of his cloak a small carved box, ordinary to look upon, but magnificent in its ef fect upon any who beheld it. Their hearts lifted as he placed it on the table before them. “And soon all shall safely rest again inside, for that, I deem, is our next task, Fairingay, to gather the Nine and set the stage for our last and final move.”