The Ancient Ones (The Legacy Trilogy Book 3) (24 page)

‘Oh?’

‘He can read your thoughts and will know you seek to deceive him the moment you set foot in the door.’

‘He can?’ Leopold said with wonder, realising how the magician guessed his every move.

‘He knows we met before,’ Tulan admitted. ‘It would have been foolish of me to try and hide the fact. I will partition off a tiny section of your mind—just the finer details of our deception. He knows you despise him, so murderous thoughts will be of no surprise. I have reinforced our mention of Jessicah, so he will think we spoke mostly about her. That is natural enough, as long as he has no reason to delve deeper than that. If he discovers my spell and unravels it … well, you will find out the result.’ Leopold nodded in understanding. ‘There. The spell is set.’

Leopold felt no different and took the man’s statement at face value. ‘We return to the ship tonight. If Samuel is there I will take Jessicah to visit him.’

‘Oh, don’t worry,’ Tulan told him solemnly. ‘He’ll be there.’

****

Leopold and Jessicah sat in the shallow cockboat, bound for the Farstride. It was late, for they had waited long for an available vessel to carry them. With several supply ships having arrived from other parts of Amandia, all craft were busy carting goods to the Farstride.

Turian sailors guided them across the dark bay, gliding between the distant lights of the palace and the glowing form of the Farstride. As they gently rocked, Leopold cogitated over his plan.

‘You are nervous,’ Jessicah said beside him. ‘Don’t be. Samuel will keep us safe. The journey will be done soon enough.’

‘It’s not that,’ he replied uncomfortably. ‘These men depend on me, and I am a mere fisherman’s son, without any idea how to be their Emperor. I do not know about ruling a nation, or an empire, or anything of the kind.’

‘Oh, don’t worry about that,’ Jessicah told him. ‘Give them something to hope for. Keep your chin up and your face brave. That’s what everyone needs—hope.’

‘I am tired of the way he treats me. If the people are to believe in me, he cannot mock me. It’s degrading. It undermines my authority.’

‘I agree with you this time, Leopold. He does not think about it like that. He thinks of it as toughening you up. He has become disconnected from society in many ways and doesn’t realise your discomfort.’

‘I think he realises,’ Leopold disagreed.

‘Have you talked to him about it?’

‘He doesn’t listen to anything I say. He calls me “boy” and taunts me. He refuses to speak civilly. I will plead with him tonight and try once more.’ Hope quickened his voice as he laid the seeds of his plan. ‘Will you come with me, and help explain? He’ll be willing to listen to anything if it comes from you.’

‘Of course, Leopold,’ she said. ‘But it is late, perhaps we should speak with him in the morning?’

‘I prefer it done now. I’ve spent all day motivating myself. Besides, he doesn’t sleep. He will be sitting in his room, waiting, as always. His room has no bed, only a tiny hammock, and I doubt he uses that. I’ve tried convincing him to lie down and have a rest, but he stubbornly refuses. It would do him a world of good.’

‘Well, let’s chat with him, shall we?’

Leopold felt pleased as they coursed gently across the dark bay. They could see their destination, the Farstride, illuminated by lamplight ahead, surrounded by a host of supporting craft of all sizes.

On arrival they were forced to wait yet again, for the sea around the Farstride was filled with similar bobbing vessels to their own, piled with boxes, sacks and supplies. Some had caged pigs, goats or chickens crowded upon them. Several boats were fully loaded with more of the red-ringed, black-powder barrels and Leopold was glad such boats were keeping their distance. The men on those waited nervously, hoping to be speedily relieved of their cargo.

With a call from their escorts that the Emperor had arrived, Leopold and Jessicah were finally given some priority, and they jostled to the front, promptly hoisted aboard with the loading equipment. Leopold loathed sitting in the vessel as it was raised. It was an unsettling ride.

Although it was late, the main deck was bustling, and Salu was in the middle of it, sitting on an upturned bucket, watching the men hurry by. Leopold had rarely seen him over the past month. As it was told, he spent his days wandering the city, tapping his stick on the ruins that lined the streets. None fell down and crushed him, proving he possessed luck if nothing else.

Leopold called to the old man as they passed and was surprised when Salu’s head tilted slightly towards him. Even such small recognition was unusual.

Toby swung from a low rigging by his arms; the young monkey howled joyfully.

‘Come on,’ Leopold said to Jessicah. ‘Let’s see your cousin now. The men will take care of our bags.’

She agreed and they climbed to the second deck and went along the passage to the officers’ cabins. Samuel’s was at the end, one door past Jessicah’s.

They stopped at the door and Leopold listened intently.

‘Are you going in or not?’ enquired Jessicah.

‘Should I knock?’

‘Well, the light’s extinguished. Perhaps he’s asleep.’

Leopold pushed the door ajar and peered inside. Darkness inhabited the room. He opened it further and stepped quietly inside, light following from the corridor, throwing his shadow upon the opposite wall. Lettering gleamed in the darkness halfway across the room, engraved into a polished surface of black.

‘Is he asleep?’ Jessicah asked behind him.

‘I’m not sure,’ Leopold whispered.

She crept in after him. ‘Why are you whispering?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘I see the lantern,’ Jessicah stated, and as she reached for what was hanging against the wall, glinting in the dark, it bloomed to life before she could touch it and the room was awash with its brilliant light.

The glare caught them standing beside the wall, the magician’s casket engulfing the centre of the room, raised from the floor upon a short table. A miserable-looking hammock hung in the corner.

Leopold surveyed the room. ‘He’s not here. Let’s come back later—’

‘Why leave so soon?’ a voice sounded behind them.

Samuel was sitting in the shadow of the door, his back against the wall, his legs extended and his hands clasped on his lap, wearing his eternal magician’s black.

‘What are you doing there in the dark!’ Leopold fought his ruffled nerves. ‘You send my bowels to water!’

‘I didn’t know my room had a code of behaviour,’ Samuel replied. He moved his head the subtle amount required to face his cousin. ‘Jessicah, it’s nice to see you aboard. I trust you are ready for the journey, and that Leopold did not overly wear your patience.’

‘I am,’ she said warmly. ‘And no, he did not.’

‘What has brought you both skulking inside my room? Neither of you has a dagger in your hand, so I assume you haven’t come to kill me.’ Leopold laughed nervously at the suggestion. ‘Chitchat, perhaps? It’s a bit late for that. It must be important to have you up at such an hour, and abandoning such a common politeness as knocking. I’d almost think you were up to something.’

Leopold thought about launching into the conversation he had planned, chiding Samuel for not lying down and resting: the premise suddenly seemed rather feeble.

‘We were worried about you,’ he ventured. ‘We haven’t seen you in the past weeks. Are you well?’

‘I am fine; thank you for your concern. We magicians happily pass months pondering the mysteries of the most banal. You have been keeping Jessicah company. That is good to see—as long as you haven’t been leading her astray.’

‘Oh, no!’ Leopold declared.

‘So,’ the magician asked seriously. ‘Tell me. Why have you come?’

‘Jessicah wanted to see your casket. She wants to see what happens to you once inside. Do you disappear or are you merely sleeping?’ he added, laughing nervously, his voice racing.

Jessicah threw Leopold a questioning glance and he smiled subtly to subdue her concern.

‘Well, that’s easily remedied,’ Samuel affirmed. He rose from his chair, approached the casket and heaved open the creaking lid. Leopold felt a rush of excitement as he felt victory close. ‘Why don’t you step in and find out for yourself?’

The young Emperor’s spirits plummeted. ‘I beg your pardon?’

‘If you’re worried, try it. Look. It’s padded and comfortable.’

Leopold swallowed nervously at his predicament. He looked for help from Jessicah, who was of no use. She had no knowledge of his plan and smiled contentedly.

‘Leopold, you look startled. I didn’t realise my presence was so overwhelming. Jessicah?’ Samuel prompted, looking to her expectantly. ‘Why don’t you have a try while Leopold recovers his wits.’

‘Of course,’ she said happily, and with Samuel’s help she sat in the box and lay down.

‘Watch your head.’ The magician smiled and gently lowered the lid. ‘There. It’s closed,’ he said to Leopold. ‘She can’t hear us. And presently, doesn’t exist. I was tempted once to forge a small window into the side to see what happened once the lid was shut. Unfortunately, it is not that easy to spy upon its secrets. Just by observation, the spell would be broken.’

‘Oh,’ was all Leopold could say, desperate as he was to escape. He suspected that Samuel knew what he was up to, and he was soon to be the recipient of something unpleasant in return.

‘Shall we let her out?’ Samuel moved, then paused before lifting the lid. ‘One thing, Leopold; don’t tell her any more tales about her time as the Witch Queen. Her mind needs time to recover. She doesn’t need to learn she was responsible for extinguishing copious innocent lives. She is frail and innocent, Leopold. Do not burden her with such worries. I will reveal the truth to her when she is ready.’

‘Oh, I didn’t—’ Leopold began, but Samuel’s raised eyebrow shut him up abruptly.

‘Let’s open her up,’ the magician said. He opened the casket and Jessicah was of course still inside, her eyes open and looking up at them.

‘That was quick,’ she said, sitting up and accepting Samuel’s hand to help her out. ‘Don’t I get to try it longer?’

‘It doesn’t get any better or worse,’ the magician told her with a shrug. ‘How was it?’

‘It’s like a bed. I could become accustomed to it—if it didn’t resemble a coffin. Go on, Leopold,’ she urged.

The magician agreed. ‘Yes, Leopold, it’s an experience I’m sure you will remember.’

Leopold glanced between the two of them, and Samuel waited, smug, tapping his fingers on the casket, sounding a rhythm.

‘In you go.’ The magician watched Leopold with amusement.

‘Well, I don’t really—’

‘Nonsense! Get in and be done with it. We can’t wait all night and no one will sleep until you get this over with. I can see you’re keen. Get in.’

Leopold could not resist, and slowly, unhappily, he clambered in.

‘Should I take off my boots?’ he said, caught with his hands in the box and one knee hovering over the side.

‘Not necessary.’ Samuel’s smugness grew.

Leopold wondered if the magician knew everything about his plans with Tulan, and he lay on his back in the coffin. There was nowhere comfortable to rest his hands, so he crossed them upon his chest, just as they did with the dead. He shivered at the thought.

‘Make yourself comfortable,’ Samuel told him. ‘Knock when you want to come out,’ and the last thing Leopold saw was the magician smiling knowingly and Jessicah waving him goodbye with a wiggle of her pretty fingers.

The box fell dark, just for an instant, before brightness returned and the lid opened again. Jessicah was laughing and as Samuel leaned over, Leopold witnessed the end of a grin as it left the magician’s face.

‘How was that? Did you enjoy it?’

‘It was fine.’ Leopold sat up, lifted his boots out over the side and climbed out. ‘You didn’t wait for me to knock.’

‘But, Leopold,’ Jessicah began, ‘you were in there for over an hour. We waited and thought you must have fallen asleep. Samuel thought it best not to disturb you, so we chatted away the time.’

‘Nearly three hours,’ Samuel corrected.

‘Oh!’ Jessicah said with surprise. ‘Was it that long? It has been wonderful to sit and talk, although now it must be nearly morning.’ She yawned. ‘Oh, excuse me,’ she said with embarrassment. ‘I see it’s caught up with me.’

‘Three hours?’ Leopold was astonished.

‘There is no time inside the box, Leopold,’ Samuel said. ‘That’s the point. You cease to exist and any demons inside have nothing to sustain them. Their thirst is quelled and their shouts subside. I hope your questions have been answered and your fears allayed.’

‘And we had a pleasant chat while you were in there,’ Jessicah mentioned. ‘I told Samuel everything you told me, and he promised not to make fun of you anymore.’

‘I did,’ Samuel said. His face, positioned where Leopold could clearly see it and Jessicah could not, said quite the opposite. ‘I’m terribly sorry if I acted unreasonably, Leopold. I’ll be sure to make it up to you.’

Leopold moaned at the thought. ‘Well,’ he said, dejected by his failure. He hoped Tulan had not waited all that time. ‘Perhaps we should go.’

‘Yes,’ Jessicah agreed. She embraced Samuel, and let herself out. ‘Come on, Leopold. You need your rest, too.’

‘Good night,’ the magician called behind them, closing his door.

‘That went well,’ Jessicah said as they returned down the passage.

‘Did it?’ Leopold said glumly. ‘He tricked me again!’

‘Oh?’ she said.

‘Don’t worry. It’s nothing.’

They stepped onto the balcony, the deck below being much quieter than before. Most lanterns had been extinguished and only a dozen men mulled about, finishing their duties as the sky to the east lightened with the coming dawn.

‘Good night, Leopold,’ Jessicah bid him and returned down the passage to her cabin beside Samuel’s.

Leopold thought about heading straight for his room, but he was keen to speak with Tulan and explain what happened. The man must have been waiting all night.

He climbed the stairs and strode along the top of the aftcastle, searching for any sign of him. The aft section was cloaked in shadow, hidden away from the waking sky. Someone was standing there and Leopold walked towards the dim silhouette, delving into the stubborn remnants of night. A figure waited to greet him as he neared.