Adventurers Wanted, Book 4: Sands of Nezza (22 page)

“A village inn would be most welcome,” said Skeld, shaking water from his hair.

“Do we dare stop at an inn?” Dain asked. “Even if Lazar won’t send his army north, he will send his spies.”

“And Rallian is well-known. It would be difficult for him not to be recognized,” added Tom.

“Would Lazar dare tell his spies that they were looking for Rallian?” Alex wondered aloud. “He has let the rumors about Rallian grow. Most people think the prince is either lost on some adventure or dead.”

“Which is why Lazar is ruling Karmus,” Virgil said. “I don’t think spies would be looking for Rallian—only for strangers.”

“Which we are,” said Dain, lifting his boots to the fire in an attempt to dry them. “If we ride through towns and villages, we will be seen.”

“We must pass through the towns and villages to reach Lord Talbot,” Rallian said firmly. “Travelers are not uncommon here in the north, and most people pay little attention to them. If we leave the roads and avoid the towns and villages, anyone who sees us will take notice.”

“Then we will ride through,” said Virgil in a decisive tone. “But we will not stop at any inn or tavern as we go.”

The others were disappointed but said nothing, accepting Virgil’s decision. Alex thought it wise not to stop, but he wondered what the people of the towns and villages would think. It seemed obvious to him that Lord Talbot would hear about them long before they reached his castle, and there was no telling how Talbot would react.

The next day, the clouds began to break apart and the sun came out from time to time as they went along. They had not ridden far when they came to a well-traveled road. Rallian thought it was probably the road from Waymar, a city to the southwest.

“If we follow the road to the northeast, we will come to Talbas, where Lord Talbot’s castle is,” said Rallian.

“It follows open ground,” said Skeld, glancing at Virgil.

“We will be easily seen,” Dain added unhappily.

“And we’ll easily see anyone approaching us,” said Virgil, though Alex could see he shared the concerns of the others.

They followed the road, moving much quicker than they had in the open fields. There was little talking as they went. Alex could tell that Virgil and his company were growing more nervous, and Rallian was getting more excited as the day went on. His own thoughts turned to Lord Talbot and what kind of man he was.

“Our time grows short,” Tom said to Alex, his voice lowered so the others would not hear. “The adventure we agreed to is almost at its end.”

“And you are worried that your training will not be complete,” said Alex, looking at Tom.

“I have learned a great deal, but there are many things I do not yet understand,” said Tom.

“A few weeks is a short time to train a healer. Already you wish to test yourself at the wall,” said Alex flatly—it was not a question.

“A true healer of power can go to the wall,” said Tom, glancing at Alex quickly before looking away again.

“And a true healer of power knows better than to rush into danger,” said Alex.

“I just thought . . .” Tom began but stopped.

Alex rode along in silence, waiting for Tom to continue, but Tom simply rode beside him, looking at the ground. After several minutes, Alex broke the silence.

“Do you think you are ready for that test?”

“I will do as you say,” Tom answered.

“That does not answer my question,” said Alex.

“I would like to try,” said Tom, his eyes still fixed on the ground.

“Soon,” said Alex.

They went on all day, riding through several small villages and one fair-sized town, but not stopping. The local people did not speak to them, but Alex could feel their eyes watching the group’s every move.

Virgil finally stopped them for the night near a small stream, setting up their camp next to a grove of large oak trees. Stonebill flew off as it was getting dark, unhappy about their campsite’s location and wanting to see what was around them.

Alex felt the same way Stonebill did about their campsite. The trees blocked the view to the north and east, and being so close to the stream put them in a low spot. It would be easy for a company of soldiers to sneak up on them from almost any direction. Alex wasn’t too worried about Lazar’s soldiers being here, but Talbot’s soldiers might be just as dangerous. If they attacked without waiting to find out who Virgil and the others were, their journey might come to a sudden end.

“We can hide under the trees if we must,” said Virgil, noting Alex’s unhappiness.

“I will not hide,” said Rallian defiantly. “Lord Talbot was a friend of my father, he is a kinsman to me, and, from what you’ve told me, a great friend of mine as well.”

“But his soldiers may not recognize you or share his friendship,” said Tom.

“And in the darkness, things could get out of hand in a hurry,” Skeld added.

“I will not hide,” Rallian repeated, and his words ended the discussion.

Stonebill returned just as the company was getting ready to go to sleep. He fluttered down to land on Alex’s shoulder, his feathers twitching slightly.

“A large party of soldiers approaches from the north,” he reported to Alex. “They are moving quietly and with purpose.”

“How many are there?” Alex asked.

“At least fifty,” said Stonebill. “Another group of the same size approaches from the south, but they are farther away.”

“Do you think they will attack us in the night?”

“I heard them speak of encirclement,” Stonebill answered. “I think they mean to capture you. They will not risk a night attack.”

Alex nodded and explained to Virgil and the others what Stonebill had seen and heard.

“We cannot fight so many,” said Dain. “Even with Alex on our side, it would be a difficult victory.”

“We don’t need to fight,” said Rallian. “These must be Talbot’s men, and if they mean to capture us, we should let them. We are going to Talbot’s castle anyway, so why not go with them?”

“And if Talbot turns out to be another Lazar?” Skeld asked, voicing a question most of them had thought about.

“Then there is little that fighting will do,” said Virgil.

“Alex, what do you think?” Skeld asked.

“We should wait for them to move first,” said Alex. “I don’t think they will attack us in the night. If they attempt to capture us, then we will have to decide what to do.”

“Very well,” said Virgil, looking around at the company. “Double watch, and keep the fire burning. We will sleep ready for battle and hope that it is not needed.”

They all agreed, though Rallian seemed unhappy about it. It was obvious he trusted Talbot, but then, he had once trusted Lazar as well.

The night passed slowly, and none of them got much sleep. Alex spent most of the night listening and looking into the darkness around the camp. He knew the soldiers were there, even though they’d encircled the camp quietly. They didn’t seem to be in any rush to make their presence known, however, and Alex didn’t tell the others that the soldiers were waiting in the darkness.

As sunrise approached, the adventurers were all on their feet. They could easily see the soldiers in the dim predawn light, and they weren’t happy about what they saw.

“Why do they not announce themselves?” Dain asked, putting on his dwarf helmet and fingering his ax. “Why all of this watching and waiting?”

“Perhaps they have been waiting for better light,” said Tom. “They may be under orders to capture us all, and in the darkness some of us could slip away.”

“We’ll find out soon enough,” said Virgil, pointing toward the soldiers. “They seem to be done waiting.”

Three soldiers rode forward, each carrying a large banner. Alex looked at the banners with interest and leaned on his staff to wait.

“The banner on the right is for the house of Talbot,” Rallian told them. “The banner on the left is that of the true king.”

“And the middle banner?” Virgil asked.

“It is the blue-and-white banner of truce,” said Rallian. “It means they want to talk to us before any hostilities break out.”

“Then we talk,” said Virgil, sounding grim. “I will speak for my company, but I cannot speak for you, Prince Rallian, or for you, Alex.”

“Then the three of us should all go forward,” said Rallian. “It is customary to meet the banner of truce on neutral ground.”

Alex nodded and walked forward with Virgil and Rallian. As he walked, he wondered if he should have worn his sword. He had not yet needed it in Nezza, but he had a feeling that he would soon.

The soldiers with the banners stopped and dismounted, waiting for Virgil, Rallian, and Alex to approach before speaking. Virgil looked nervous but firm; Rallian looked happy. Alex tried to look stern, but he felt strangely happy and found it hard not to smile.

“We are the servants of Lord Talbot,” the man holding the banner of truce announced. “We wish to know if you are friend or foe to our lord.”

“Friends,” said Virgil.

“Why do you come?” questioned the man.

“Lord Talbot sent us on a quest,” answered Virgil. “We return now, our quest complete.”

“You are the adventurers that Lord Talbot hired,” the man said, looking past Virgil to the camp. “We were told there were six of you, but I count a dozen horses.”

“We have extra horses, taken from those who would hinder us in our quest,” said Virgil. “Two of our company have fallen completing our quest. Lord Talbot asked us to find Prince Rallian, and so we have.”

“You found the prince?” the man said with surprise.

“I am he,” said Rallian, stepping forward. “Prince of Nezza, Lord of Karmus. I have come to speak with your noble lord.”

“Your Highness,” said the man. All three soldiers bowed. “Lord Talbot will be pleased at your coming. Long has he hoped to see you and speak with you.”

“Then we should go forward swiftly to Talbas and to Lord Talbot’s castle,” said Rallian. “I have much to discuss with your noble lord.”

“A moment, Your Highness,” said the man. He turned his attention to Alex. “Six adventurers we were told to expect, and you tell me two were lost, so you should be four. Your Highness makes it a happy five. Who is this sixth man?”

“He is my friend,” said Rallian before Alex could speak. “He saved me and the adventurers from the dungeons of Karmus. I will vouch for his honor.”

“Forgive me, Your Highness, but these are difficult times,” said the man. “We must know something of this man, or he cannot continue.”

“And what would you know?” Alex asked, taking a step toward the man. “Do you fear that I am Lazar’s servant Magnus in some magical disguise? Or perhaps something worse, come from beyond the great arch to destroy all of Nezza and its people?”

“We have heard stories,” said the man nervously, looking a little pale. “Word from the south says there is a demon walking in the shape of a man.”

“I am no demon,” Alex said with a laugh. “I am a wizard, and any word from the south is surely not to be trusted in these times.”

“A wizard,” the man repeated, looking even more troubled. “We know something of wizards, here in the north.”

“Then ask what you will,” said Alex. “You have something you would ask me to do—something that will help you to trust me.”

“You see much,” said the man. “Our stories say that a wizard—a true wizard—cannot lie if he swears by his staff. If you mean no harm to Lord Talbot, then swear by your staff that it is so.”

“Your stories are true,” said Alex, looking at his staff. “So I swear by my staff that I mean no harm to Lord Talbot or his people. I also swear by my staff that I will see the true king of Nezza returned to his throne. If your lord will serve the true king, I am his faithful friend. If Lord Talbot fights against the true king, then I am his most deadly enemy.”

“Then all is well,” answered the man in a shaky voice, bowing deeply. “Come, we will escort you to Talbas and to the castle of Lord Talbot.”

Alex walked back to the others with Rallian and Virgil, both of them looking shocked by Alex’s comments. Alex was not concerned, because he already knew that Rallian was the true king of Nezza and that he would somehow manage to gain his throne.

“What’s it to be, then?” Skeld asked, glancing from Virgil to Alex and back again.

“The soldiers will escort us to Talbas,” said Virgil. “Lord Talbot wishes to speak with Rallian and the rest of us.”

As quickly as they could, Alex and his friends broke camp and prepared to travel with the soldiers of Lord Talbot. The soldiers waited a short distance away and did not speak with them. Alex thought they were probably under orders not to, but he wondered if perhaps it was some sign of respect that he didn’t know about.

They were soon on the road. The sun came out from behind the clouds, driving away the rain and drying the land. Rallian rode in front with Virgil, and Alex rode at the back with Tom. Most of the soldiers fell in line behind them, but about twenty rode in front, holding up the banners of Talbot and the true king for all to see. Alex tried to make out what was on the banner of the true king, but it was too far away and it fluttered in the breeze.

“What did you say to them?” Tom asked, after they had ridden a few miles.

“To the soldiers?” Alex asked.

“Yes—what did you say?”

“I told them I was a wizard and would see the true king returned to his throne,” said Alex.

“Was the light around you to prove you were a wizard?” Tom asked.

“Light? What light?”

“When you spoke to them, there was a strange light around you. To me, it seemed that you grew taller, or perhaps they grew smaller.”

“Did the others see this light?” Alex asked. He was concerned because he had not noticed any light, and he had not felt any magical change.

“I think they did,” said Tom. “They didn’t really say, but we all knew when you were talking.”

Alex thought for several minutes about what Tom said. This was one more new and unexpected thing to think about, but it did not seem to be a problem. If the soldiers had seen the light, that might be a good thing, but he wasn’t sure. The people of Nezza were already indifferent to or afraid of magic. Alex didn’t really care about the indifference, but he didn’t want to add to anyone’s fear.