The Last Wizard of Eneri Clare (44 page)

She said, “Thank you for bringing me to this place.”

“Don’t you think it’s nicer sharing a secret with a friend? You are welcome here anytime.” He held up a warning finger, “Just don’t tell anyone else, or the place will be overrun.”

“Agreed.” They let their gaze follow the moving waters one last time. “Tvrdik?”

“Hmmm?”

“I’m awfully glad that I don’t have to face this particular challenge alone.”

“Me, too.”

He held the branches back for her, as they both bent to make their way back to the path. It felt like emerging into another world. They headed back to The Cottage at an unhurried pace, not another word exchanged between them, but a bond formed nonetheless.

TWENTY–SEVEN
The Legions of Light

B
ACK AT THE COTTAGE, TASHROTH
had shifted his post to the riverbank behind the building, and the Praegers had set up all the chairs and benches they could find on the lawn. The weather seemed likely to hold, and Mark and Delphine were already back from their walk, running about on the lawns with Stewart and Lynette and a brightly colored ball. They waved gaily at the returning mage and regent, but did not interrupt their game. Tvrdik and Rel had just enough time to wash up a bit, straighten their clothing, and run combs through their hair. Tvrdik searched until he found a rather large basin in the house which he filled with water and placed outside for Ondine so that she could be closer to the conversation. He took a moment to run over a few key points in his head, reached for his staff, and went to the front gate, where their guests were just beginning to arrive. In very close succession, Bargarelle,Verger, Warlowe, and the Palace Physician appeared on the Riverwalk, and found their way to the front gate of Xaarus’ Cottage.

“Welcome, welcome gentlemen! I see you found us. Thank you for coming. If we are all assembled, I will be happy to show you inside. All the other guests are here already – no, no, you are perfectly on time. Some of them were helping me move back in here this morning. Oh, myself? Much better, thank you for asking. Right this way…”

He led them up the front walk and past the gardens. “With your permission, we’d like to hold this meeting outdoors on the back lawns – you’ll see why in a moment. I’ve arranged some refreshment for you if the sun gets too warm. We can find a shady place, too. If you’ll just come ‘round the corner here, you’ll see chairs set up…” Jorelial Rey was already standing beside Tashroth, and Stewart had trotted over to join them. At the sight of the little cavalcade coming around the corner, Mark and Delphine sent Lynette back to find her mother, and made their way across the lawn to the meeting site. Praeger was coming out the back door of the house, and paused at the sight of so many dignitaries. “That’s right, Mr. Praeger, right over here. You are invited, yes, this way. Gentlemen?”

Tvrdik had noticed that his four charges were all huddled at the corner of the house, and had not followed him any further. They were all staring up at Tashroth with some combination of respect and abject terror, never having come in such close contact with a live dragon. Remembering his first encounter, Tvrdik sympathized with them, and attempted to ease their adjustment. “Oh, what am I thinking? I had forgotten that we haven’t all met. Gentlemen, I believe you all know our Royal Regent, Lady Jorelial Rey, and this is her oldest friend and companion, Lord Tashroth, of the green dragons.” Tashroth, taking his cue, swung his head over to where the four visitors had halted, and purred in his deep voice, “A pleasure to make your acquaintance.” Verger looked about to collapse. Tvrdik stifled an involuntary giggle, and hurried back to the quartet, who were still reluctant to move any closer to where Tashroth sat. Throwing a companionable arm about Verger’s shoulders, he physically guided the man forward to where the chairs were lined up. “Tashroth, this is Minister Verger, our brilliant High Minister of Finance and Economics, and a great friend of Xaarus.” Gently depositing the terrified man in a chair, he went back for Bargarelle. “And this is the Castle Steward for the entire palace complex, Master Bargarelle, who is also acting as personal secretary to your mistress, and keeping her appointment book.” Mark and Delphine sat beside the two men Tvrdik had escorted in, attempting to distract their attention from the great green dragon. Tvrdik now grabbed Warlowe and the palace healer each by a hand and led them into the circle. “And here are two good friends of mine from Theriole; this is the royal physician who treated me in my recent misfortune – what is your name, sir? I can’t believe I never troubled to learn it.”

“Why, it’s Andrus, sir, and please feel free to use it.”

“Wonderful, Andrus. And this here is Master Warlowe, in fact my very first contact at Theriole, and a staunch friend, who handles all sorts of important tasks at the palace. But I’m sure you all know each other…please pardon my enthusiasm. And for those of you who have not yet had the pleasure, I would also like to present Stewart, a descendent of the great Angus, companion to Xaarus himself.”

“Welcome, friends.” Stewart remarked graciously, eliciting an expression of wonder from those who were not yet aware of his ability to talk.

“You all know Madame Delphine, sister to the Lady Rey, and her husband, Mark, a talented bard and teacher of music. And just arriving is Master Praeger. He and his family have just agreed to act as staff for this place, and help me with the chores and grounds. We had a sample today of his wife’s delicious cooking. Which reminds me, Minister Verger, I would appreciate a word at your leisure concerning arrangements for their salaries.” Verger sat with his mouth open in surprise, but after a glance exchanged with the Lady Regent, he gave Tvrdik a curt nod.

Jorelial Rey had been standing near Tashroth, watching the mage bustle about, handling all the introductions. She could not conceal her obvious amusement at his antics, his nervous running commentary, and his attempts to make everyone feel comfortable. This was a very different Tvrdik from the shy, quiet youngster he had just described to her. Or, maybe, his rambling was just another reflection of the lonely misfit seeking desperately to belong.

“Ah!” exclaimed the young wizard, “There remains but one member of our company yet absent, and I believe I hear her arriving now.” He snatched up the large basin he had set out and disappeared down a bank by the river’s edge. When he returned, he was climbing the short, slippery slope with some difficulty, both hands holding the basin, now heavy with river water, and something else…. Tvrdik managed to carry the basin over to where his guests were arranging their seats, and then set it down as gently as he could. Flexing and massaging his left arm, which had just been asked to do more than it should have, he addressed the group.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are privileged today to be joined in our discussion by a genuine water sprite. I would like to introduce my dear friend Ondine, who has travelled with me all the way from the pristine fountains of the ancient forests in order to be a part of the work we will do here today. Ondine?” A blue head popped up from the basin’s edge and flashed a dazzling smile at the assembled visitors. Then a tiny blue hand waved once before the entire apparition vanished once more into the water. Those present who had not yet met Ondine were staring open-mouthed at the tub, as if they dared not assume anyone else had just seen what they had. Tvrdik laughed, “Yes, there really is a blue naiad in that tub – she’s a bit shy this afternoon, but I’m sure we will all have occasion to make her further acquaintance later. I believe I see Mrs. Praeger approaching with some cold cider and biscuits. Ah, Mrs. Praeger, thank you so much for your thoughtfulness. We were just getting started, and this is much appreciated. Help yourselves, please.” Mark and Delphine leapt from their chairs, stepping forward to help lighten the woman’s load. They began to pass around the wooden cups and plates of cookies, pouring from two large, chilled pitchers. The afternoon was getting on, but the sun was still warm, and a cool drink did seem to be exactly what was called for. Both Tashroth and Ondine politely declined anything, while Stewart chose a biscuit to nibble. Everyone else indulged with gusto.

“Mrs. Praeger, will you stay?” Tvrdik asked.

“I daresay there’s a few things needin’ my attention inside. You folk go on about yer business, and I’ll have my man fill me in later.”

“Very well, then, thank you.”

Jorelial Rey cast an eye over the unusual group they had called together; twelve, counting herself and Tvrdik. Twelve! The ironic symbolism of that number was not lost on her – that they should randomly invite all the personalities they knew who might be in sympathy with their plan, and by chance come up with the same number of members as were in the Royal Cabinet – well, it was beyond eerie. Also interesting was that, after a bit of shuffling, the benches and chairs had wound up in a roughly circular formation. Instead of standing before a room filled with skeptical lords and ministers, Jorelial and Tvrdik were now sitting as part of the group. The variety of levels of wealth, social standing, gender, even species represented in this group was also remarkable. And yet, all claimed an equal position in this ring. It might seem like a random occurrence, but she could not help wondering if indeed things had fallen out according to some master plan of the Universe. While she was thus lost in thought, Tvrdik began the conversation.

“My friends, how I wish I was only inviting you this day to come celebrate my arrival in my new home and to enjoy some hospitality. But there is far more serious business that demands our immediate attention. Each of you is here for a special reason, because we believe we know something of your hearts, and feel you have something unique to contribute. Some of you already know the gist of what is going on, so I ask you to bear with us while we explain from the beginning for the benefit of those who have not yet heard…”

So, there on the lawn, behind Xaarus’ old house, the young mage and the newly installed regent told the story yet again. Gracefully, spontaneously, back and forth they passed the thread, this time as if they were sharing the details of a recent event with a close friend. Those they had invited listened with interest, attentive to every detail. Once Andrus asked a question, and Rel did her best to answer it. Delphine grasped Mark’s hand and unconsciously worried his fingers with hers. Tashroth’s huge tail gave an involuntary swish back and forth from time to time. Stewart’s ears twitched. Praeger refused to meet anyone’s eyes, but kept his head lowered while he listened. In quiet moments, one could hear Ondine glide gently back and forth in the water, and her small, serious face was often visible over the rim of her basin. Warlowe leaned forward, completely engaged. Verger and Bargarelle exchanged meaningful looks throughout the narrative. When Tvrdik and Rel had finally arrived at the part about the Cabinet’s challenge, and their unorthodox plan to assemble a completely separate army and train them in non-violent resistance, no one uttered a sound.

Tvrdik paused a moment, and then explained further, “You see, we cannot cede the kingdom to a monster like Drogue. We cannot allow our own people to stand defenseless in harm’s way, but according to Xaarus’, we also cannot win by resisting him with weapons in combat. So, our job would be to disarm, confuse, confound, seduce, discourage, co-opt, and thwart Drogue’s forces until they just give up and abandon their intention to subdue us. We can try to discredit and embarrass Drogue in the eyes of his followers, so that his support falls away. All of this we must do by any means possible – trickery, cleverness, persuasion, magic, anything we can think of
except
by intentionally shedding blood or harming them. A daunting and untried task to be sure, but I believe it to be possible – no, more than possible – inevitable.”

“As do I.” added Jorelial Rey.

“And I.” Tashroth rumbled.

In the silence that ensued, Rel and Tvrdik both steeled themselves for the usual arguments, objections, and expressions of shock and dismay. The first words came from Andrus, the healer, completely new to any of this, and someone they expected to be skeptical.

“Alright then. How do we begin?”

Tvrdik blinked, “Excuse me?”

“You have me convinced. I pursued this profession because I wanted to make people whole and well, and alleviate suffering. I have no desire to be called upon to patch up countless young soldiers wounded in senseless battles, or to face hopeless epidemics of disease spreading through a war-ravaged countryside. I am at your service. But what do I
do
next?”

Tvrdik’s face broke into a broad grin as it dawned on him what had just happened. He leapt from his seat, and crossed to the palace healer, grasping the man’s right hand in his own and pumping it up and down with enthusiasm. “Thank you, Andrus, thank you. I knew I was right to invite you today…”

Warlowe was next, “You know my loyalty to the king and his regent, to preserving the kingdom and the peace of the realm. I would follow the Lady Jorelial Rey nearly into hell, and I have always respected Xaarus. What you are proposing frightens me, but so do the alternatives. Somehow I feel strangely excited at the prospect of being a part of something this new and bold. I wish to speak with my family, but if you believe this will work, I am at your disposal.”

“Well, I’ve already told you my heart,” Verger exclaimed, “Whatever plan Xaarus engineers, I support all the way. I trust him.”

“And I cast my lot with the family Rey, wherever they lead.” Bargarelle stated unequivocally.

“I will call the dragons to assemble and relate all of this to them. Apparently our very future existence turns on the events we will soon face. There may be something we can contribute.” Tashroth offered.

Mark rose, a fire within him kindled, “And I will speak to all the bards and minstrels, harpers, artists, writers and archivists that I can find. There is a network; Nyree will help. Almost all of us reject violence as a way to achieve any lasting good – we are all creators, not destroyers. I pledge to bring you the bards.” Delphine stood up beside her new husband and added, “I do not know where my true talents lie, but since the two, no,
three
(she glanced at Tvrdik) most important people in my life believe in this cause, I embrace it wholeheartedly, and give whatever I have and am to it.”

“Delphine, what you have to give is boundless. Thank you for your faith in us – in me.” Rel spoke sincerely.

“I have the ear of all the magical and talkin’ beasts,” Stewart stood in his most handsome, noble posture to address the group, “We are already few, and forced to be cautious. I have no desire to allow a future where there is not even a dim memory of us. Xaarus is a legend in my family, and we stand with him. Not to mention, I have grown fond of young Master Tvrdik here, and trust his instincts. I will bring the talkin’ beasts on board.”