The Last Wizard of Eneri Clare (45 page)

“And I tell my cousins and sisters of water,” a small voice piped from the basin, “All naiads will help. We are of old magic; have more powers than you know. Maybe talk to trees too. Dryads very strong in old magic. Tomorrow, I take you to unicorns, Lovely Man. They will listen to wizard.”

“That’s the spirit!” Tvrdik was becoming more excited by the moment. What a different response this was from the staid skeptics in the counsel room. “We are all captains in this enterprise. If each of us can begin by spreading the word among the communities with which we are connected, and can convince even a small portion of those we address to come on board, then we will be a force to be reckoned with in no time.”

Andrus nodded, “I will rally the healers, herbalists, and midwives. We are all sworn to preserve and repair, not to harm. And I will ponder if there might be ways to fight back with our knowledge of botanicals and diseases.”

“This is what I mean. Creative thinking. Ideas. Faith that there actually
are
ways to succeed.” Tvrdik was exuberant.

A small movement from one chair in the circle drew every eye. It was Praeger, squirming somewhat uncomfortably in his seat. Now he realized that all the attention was on him, waiting for his comment, the only one left unexpressed. It was Jorelial Rey who prompted him at last, “Mr. Praeger, what say you? Do you think we are all mad?”

“No, no! Oh, no, my lady, that is the farthest thing from my mind. I have only been sittin’ here wonderin’ how a plain man, such as myself, finds himself in such powerful company, and what ye all think I could possibly contribute of any value. I am a simple man. I know little of magic or kingdoms or great causes – only that I have seen great miracles, restorin’ my daughter to health, and changin’ the fortunes of my whole family, near overnight. And, I have seen only suffering, fear, and misery come from an act of bold violence. I have no stomach for the latter any longer. There is no good in it, no matter what we are told by those who hold power in this world. I can tell ye from experience that this Drogue, that calls himself a ‘Prince’, he is a dangerous man, and greatly to be feared. I have been in his presence, and there is about him a quality that chilled me to my bones. It will be no child’s play to defeat him. Even so, I have no wish to harm him myself – only to stop him from taking what is not his. As for you, Mistress Regent, and Master Mage, I owe you my life and my service, and think highly of yer wisdom. Whatever a man such as me has to offer, I give freely.”

Tvrdik put an arm around the wiry man’s rounded shoulders, “Master Praeger, everything you have just said is precisely why you
should
have a seat here, and your wife as well. Your experience has strengthened your convictions. You have lived the contrast between the fruits of war and peace. And, you have met, however briefly, our adversary, and know his mettle. You have credibility, and are a perfect spokesman for us with the real people of this realm – the farmers and herders and merchants and craft folk. Will you take our message? We cannot succeed without the good will of the people.”

“I suppose we still have a few friends in the town and country at that, and I will pass the word, gladly.”

“Good. Then we are all in agreement. Time is short. Speak to whoever you can, and see what support there is for such a plan. We meet again one week from today with as many other representatives as you can persuade to come. Thank you all for your confidence and your faith. You cannot know how much you have lifted my hopes today. Each of you will be a leader in a completely new and untried endeavor, a new force for good. Together we will push back the darkness that threatens us now, and that to come…”

Delphine chimed in, “Oooooh! That’s good. We need a name, a slogan with which to rally people and inspire them. ‘Push back the darkness’ is good. That would make us, what? Soldiers of Light? Armies of Light?”

“Legions of Light,” Mark pronounced, and shrugged at the approbation he saw in the faces of all present, and at their excited exclamations. “Just a little alliteration…” he mumbled, while Delphine squeezed the hand of her poet.

“Right then,” Jorelial Rey summed up, “the first meeting of the Legions of Light is officially adjourned. We leave this place with a name, a vision, a timetable, and work to do. Before a week has passed, everyone in the kingdom will know our name and our purpose, and will deem it an honor to come and sign on. May every benevolent being of the universe smile on our endeavors, and guide us to victory.”

“Victory!” shouted everyone else, whipped into a froth of excitement and hope.

As the guests took their leave to find their own homes and supper, the sun was sinking toward the horizon, a giant ball of fiery red. There was much handshaking and enthusiastic back-thumping, words of encouragement and compliment, and a tangible sense that something important and remarkable had begun. Tvrdik returned Ondine to the river, settling on a plan to meet on the following day. The Praegers set about moving the chairs and benches back to their normal places, cleared the trays and cups, straightened up the place, and begged leave to go back with the others to Theriole, where they would spend their nights until they could properly refit the back rooms of The Cottage for their purposes. Tvrdik thanked them for all of their efforts, told them he looked forward to a long and mutually beneficial association, and added that he would look into the details of their salaries on the morrow. Mr. Praeger stopped him in mid-sentence, “Master Wizard, sir, it is kind of ye to be thinkin’ of our needs just now with so many things pressin’. But there is no need to hurry about it. The way I see it, I still owe ye labor and service for no pay at all.”

Tvrdik replied, “You have already more than paid me back, Praeger, believe me. We will come to an arrangement that is fair, never fear.”

They left along with Warlowe, Andrus, Verger, and Bargarelle, while the fading light still showed the path home, Lynette, half-asleep, toddling along beside her mother. Mark and Delphine followed close behind, Delphine giving Tvrdik an enthusiastic hug on her way out.

“Oh, Tvrdik, I knew you’d be lucky for us. We are going to change the world.”

Tvrdik smiled as she pulled away. Realizing how very tired he felt, he quipped, “Very likely, my friend, only perhaps not tonight, alright?” and winked at her. Mark shook his hand, and the couple headed off under the colorful twilight sky. Jorelial Rey was the last to approach. “Would you like to stay for supper?” he offered, “I think Mrs. Praeger has left me something simple, and I am sure there is enough to share.”

She shook her head. “Thank you, but I must get back to the palace. There will be so much there awaiting my attention before I can go to sleep, and I think I really will sleep tonight.”

“I was just thinking the same thing. I felt so energized all day, but now, I feel like all the sap has been drained out of me.”

“It was certainly a full and rewarding day, but more than you are used to taking on all at once since your injury. You must be exhausted. Are you in pain?”

“No, I’m fine. Just tired. But hopeful, and excited, for the first time in a long while.”

She smiled, “You did it, Tvrdik. You got things started. It begins.”

“We did it,” he insisted. “It is your faith in the idea that gives it any credibility whatever.”

“Too early for congratulations, I think. Still a great deal to be done.”

“Yes, but look how far we have come.” He walked her over to where the great green dragon awaited, and watched as she climbed to her accustomed perch. “Lord Tashroth, your presence at my home honors it, and your participation in our endeavor gives me hope for its success.”

“Mage, I will do what I can. I find the idea both intriguing and appealing, and I have always held Xaarus in high esteem. Be well. I will return soon.”

Tvrdik bowed to him and waved to Rel as they prepared to take off, then backed up and watched the duo circle once in the air and head off toward Theriole. Weary now, and alone in the big house for the first time, he wandered to the kitchen to see what Mrs. Praeger had left him for supper. It was then that he realized Stewart was by his side, following along to the kitchen.

“Will you be staying the night, then, my friend?”

“If it is not an imposition. I’ve grown rather accustomed to it, guardin’ the place while ye were indisposed, and such…”

“You are most welcome. Your presence already makes me feel safer, and more at home. Can I fix a place for you by the fire, perhaps?”

“I have all I need, thank ye. It is quite cozy here.”

“Share a bite with me before retiring, then?”

“I thought ye’d never ask.”

Mrs. Praeger was treating her caretaking duties very seriously, he noted, as she had left out a variety of items, marked with little notes, for the two of them. There was more of the fresh bread, a rather generous wedge of cheese and fresh butter, a bowl of nuts and a few more strawberries. The tea things were set up, and there were some small sweet cakes as well with which to end the day. The two companions bustled about fixing themselves plates and getting the tea started. They ate at leisure at the kitchen table, conversing about the day’s events. When they couldn’t eat or drink another mouthful, Tvrdik conjured a little magical help with the dishes and tidying up, and bid Stewart a fond good night, as the dog circled and settled down on a rug before the hearth in the sitting room. Despite the warm weather, the Praeger’s had lit the fire there before leaving, against the evening’s chill breeze. Burning low and steady, it made the whole room seem warm and drowsy.

In the big bedroom that had once belonged to Xaarus, Tvrdik found the fire just smoldering enough to take the chill from the stone room, now hung with tapestries on three walls. The sconces were lit, the covers turned down on the bed, and a few books from his studies at the palace were placed by the bedside to be returned to as his fancy dictated. There was a small tray also on the bedside table, holding a cup and a pitcher of clear water. Tvrdik had felt a little sheepish about sleeping this first night in his master’s bedroom. But Mrs. Praeger had spared no effort to make him feel truly at home. His stomach filled, his cheeks warm, his body weary, and his mind swimming with memories and ideas, he undressed, tended to his evening ablutions, and crawled into the big feather bed, glad of its soft embrace. Wrapping himself in the thick quilt, deciding he had not even the energy to read, he mentally doused the lights and lay in the dark, a smile on his pale face, until sleep carried him off.

TWENTY–EIGHT
Meeting the Unicorns

T
VRDIK’S DREAMS THAT NIGHT, HOWEVER,
were dark and disturbing. There were battlefields and combat, running and being chased. There was fear, and hiding, and the face of Xaarus, oversized, floating in the air, desperately trying to tell him something again and again. But, for whatever reason, he either could not hear or could not comprehend what his mentor was trying to communicate. At the last – and this part seemed somehow different from the rest, clearer and more real, perhaps – there was an image of Delphine, terrified and crying out for help, being pulled away, while someone who might have been Mark, reached out for her and fell short…

That was when Tvrdik woke up, breathing hard and sweating. Relieved that he had been, after all, dreaming, and counting it a result of the previous day’s stresses, he resolved to face the new day with a fresh spirit. Looking out of the window, he was surprised to see that he had slept through a good part of the morning already. He could see that Mr. Praeger was out in the garden weeding, and the aromas that greeted his nostrils told him that Mrs. Praeger had also been busy. He washed and dressed quickly and straightened the bedclothes, emerging from the inner chambers into the heart of the house, still a bit tousled.

“Good morning, sir.” Mrs. Praeger greeted him cheerfully, “I hope we didn’t disturb ye. After yesterday’s doins, and ye not bein’ up to yer full strength yet, ye must have fair needed a good sleep.”

“I suppose so. I don’t think I was quite used to the bed, either, but I feel well enough.”

“Well, ye just sit yerself down there, and I’ll get yer breakfast. Eggs today, sir?”

He frowned, “Mrs. Praeger, I appreciate everything you are doing, but I feel silly being waited on like this. You honestly don’t have to do this for every meal and every part of my day.”

“Nonsense. I enjoy taking care of ye, sir. And it’s the least we can do to repay yer kindness. Trust me, yer days will be filled soon enough with tasks of import, and ye’ll be glad of a little help here and there with the small things.”

“I suppose you are right, but I don’t wish to take for granted…”

“Just sit right here and have yer tea, sir. There. Nice and hot. Honey? Will ye have one egg or two?”

He sighed and allowed her to wait on him, and in very short order, was glad he did. “Mrs. Praeger, our relationship is just beginning, and already I am grateful I dress in wizard’s robes that will not show how much my waistline is expanding.”

“Well, I’m that glad ye are enjoying yer meals, sir. It pains me to see a young man in his prime so rail thin, if ye’ll pardon me mentioning it, sir.”

“That’s perfectly fine, but if you keep feeding me, I shall have to learn to employ some discipline not to travel too far in the other direction.”

She beamed, and begged a word with him. Would it be alright, she wanted to know, if they began work in earnest today on renovating the back dormitories for their family’s use? It would be so much easier to take care of him properly once they did not have to travel back and forth to the palace every night. Tvrdik hesitated a moment as a sudden picture flashed across his mind of his classmates’ belongings lying about just as they had been left. He was afraid that he could not deal with going through them all by himself, but Rel was right. No one was coming back to claim them, and the space was too precious to waste. He instructed Mrs. Praeger to commandeer one of the larger trunks, and to put in it everything that looked like someone’s personal property – clothing, books, mementos, jewelry, grooming items. Anything of general use they could keep for themselves, but the rest was to be packed away in a corner until he had the stomach to sort through it. Then they could tackle the place and rebuild or rearrange it to their heart’s content. If there were ever to be a school for wizards again, he did not expect it would convene there anyway. He excused himself a moment, went back to rummage through his things in the bedroom, and came back with a fat handful of letters of credit for local merchants, which had been issued to him by Jorelial Rey and the Crown treasury. These he held out to Mrs. Praeger.

“Sir?” she stared at them uncertainly.

“These were given to me for the repair and restoration of this house by order of the Lady Regent herself. I would say the back rooms qualify as part of the project. Anything you need or want to make them fresh or weatherproof, or comfortable – any construction supplies, or gardening items, or any furnishings you need, you just go to these merchants and the Crown pays for it all.”

“But, sir, we weren’t expecting…”

“The Lady Regent promised to set your family back on its feet, and also commanded me to put this cottage in shape. I’d say that entitles you to this assistance on two counts. I’ll even help you with the labor myself after you’ve emptied the place out.”

“Sir, we never meant to ask you…”

“If and when I have time on my hands, a little physical labor will be good for me. I’m actually pretty good with my hands. You’ll see. We’ll have you moved in back there in no time. Where is everyone, anyway?”

She took the vouchers from him and accepted the change of subject. “My man is out doin’ some work in the garden, and Lynette is gatherin’ wildflowers for the house. She takes her time and wanders about, that one – quite an imagination, and a knack for bein’ distracted.” She sighed in the long-suffering way of a parent, but was smiling as well.

“And Master Stewart?”

“Goodness me, I almost forgot. He was up and out early. He told me to let ye know he was off for a few days to gather the talkin’ beasts and fill them in on your plan for the new army. He said he’d have them in tow for ye within the week, gods willing.”

“Did your husband explain to you everything that was discussed yesterday, Mrs. Praeger?”

“Yes, he did, Master Wizard.”

“And?”

“Oh, I’m all for it. We mothers think it’s time for someone to step up and change how things are done. Now, I have no son, as yet, but if I did, I would certainly not have him out riskin’ his neck on some battlefield far from home, for some tiff he knows naught of between lordlings. No, sir. Besides, we stand with ye, sir. We think ye can do anything ye set yer mind to, sir, and that’s a fact.”

Tvrdik blushed. “Well. Thanks for that vote of confidence, and for your wise insight, Mrs. Praeger. Would you be willing to talk to any of the other mothers you are still in touch with who might have similar feelings, and see if you can get them interested in participating? We are definitely an equal opportunity army.”

“Excuse me?”

“I mean we hope to train men, women, beasts, sprites, dragons – anyone who believes in what we are doing, regardless of gender, species, or station in life.”

“Oh. Then, yes sir, I most definitely will pass the word.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Praeger. Can I help you clean up?”

“Not at all, sir. Ye just go about yer wizard’s business now. Go on, shoo!”

Tvrdik was not entirely sure yet what his ‘wizard’s business’ might be, so he meandered out to the yard to see what Praeger might be up to.

“Good morning, sir. Beautiful day, isn’t it?’

“Why yes, it is.”

“Looks like we’re goin’ to have a fair good crop o’ beans and squashes, sir. They’re doin’ fine. All the herbs are really thrivin’, too. Just look at the lavender and sage.”

“Much of that is due to your hard work, you know. Anything you or your family need from the garden, Praeger, feel free to help yourself.”

“Thank ye, sir. That’s most generous o’ ye.”

“Can I help you with anything here?”

“No, sir. Just about done here for today, sir. Nature has a way o’ largely taking care of itself. Seems a good time to go and take stock o’ those rooms. I should be getting’ to work on them right away.”

“Oh….yes.” Tvrdik was a little disappointed and at loose ends, wondering how he should occupy his day.

“Master Wizard, sir?” Praeger was addressing him again, hesitating a bit.

“Unmmm?”

“Well, I was wonderin’, sir, seein’ as how ye did such a fine job with my daughter, and as ye’re feelin’ better, do ye think it might be a good time to start seein’ folks now?”

“Seeing folks?”

“Ye’re a gifted healer, sir, that ye are. And I have a lot o’ friends back in the old neighborhood with pains and sickness, complaints and such, who are wantin’ to be looked at by ye. Some of them have been askin’ after ye for a good while now, after they’d seen what ye had done for my little Lynette. I told them, ‘Wait,’ says I, ‘wait till he feels a bit stronger, and is up to it.’ Did I do right?”

“That was very considerate of you, Praeger, and yes, I am doing better. But are there no healers where you lived?”

“No good ones to speak of, sir. A country witch here and there who can deal with yer everyday toothache or croup, and a few studied sorts as charge more than we folk can afford. Some of the friends I mentioned haven’t got much to pay ye, sir, but they’ll gladly give ye a pail of milk or a good chicken for your trouble, such as they can spare, and ye with yer good heart and all…. Ye know so much, sir, and I’ve never seen anyone do what ye did with yer hands.”

“I just don’t want to infringe on someone else’s livelihood, that’s all. Of course, I’d be happy to see anybody you want to recommend, Praeger. It seems I’m being paid by the Crown anyway, so I might as well make myself useful. I can’t promise to fix everything, but we do have quite a good stock of salves and potions here. Tell them to come around anytime I am here, and I’ll be glad to do what I can.”

“Thank ye, sir. Ye’re a good soul, sir…” He took his leave, and headed toward the house, whistling happily. Tvrdik hardly had the time to consider what he had just gotten himself into when he heard the click of his front gate, and turned to see Mark and Delphine just arrived.

“Good morning, Sir Wizard,” the girl called cheerfully, “Did you sleep well in your own house?”

Seeing Delphine’s lovely face brought back the memory of his nightmares, and he frowned, “Well, I did sleep long, but I had the strangest dreams – not very restful.”

“Takes some time to get used to a new bed,” Mark offered.

“I’m sure that’s it. In any case, welcome friends. What am I thinking, keeping you standing out here? Can I get you anything? Some refreshment?”

“No, it’s alright. Mark is just leaving, and wanted to stop by on the way out.”

“Leaving?” Only then did he notice that the bard was draped in carry-sacks; his harp and overnight gear, presumably.

“Yes, I was able to cover myself for my engagements all week, and wanted to lose no time in going to see Nyree. She will listen to our plan, I am certain of it, and has the authority to call together all the members of our guild if she sees reason. But she rarely leaves her home these days… I must go and seek her out.”

“That will be wonderful, Mark. Is it very far?”

“Not very. A day’s journey, perhaps, on foot. I won’t be away long. You will look after my bride, though, won’t you? I’d feel better knowing she was under someone’s wing, times being what they are…”

“Mark!” Delphine protested.

“Of course, Mark. It will be my pleasure. Don’t worry. But wouldn’t you rather go with him, Delphine?”

“Not a chance. Rel is beside herself already, since Tashroth also left this morning to go and rally all the dragons. He travels faster than Mark, but has great distances to cover, and many stops to make. He might be gone the entire week, and though my sister realizes the necessity of this trip, she is always at sixes and sevens when they are separated for any length of time. She would just explode, if I were to go as well.”

“And she could not go with Tashroth?”

“She is the regent, remember? She can’t be spared just now, with so many things to attend to on a daily basis. And she should not leave the king alone, either. Besides, Tash needs the flexibility to speak with other dragons without a human present. Many of the others are not as well-disposed toward people as he has been. They are still cautious and suspicious in the presence of humans.”

“I see. Please tell her that she is welcome here any time she has a moment to herself. We can talk strategy, or just visit. Both of you. My home is your home. Mark, do you need anything? Provisions, equipment, ideas for how you will present our case to the Guild?”

“No, thank you, Tvrdik. I think I am all set, and I am sure I can explain everything properly to Nyree. She is an old friend, a mentor, and, I feel certain, a likely ally. She can take it from there. I should be on my way. The sun is already high, and I have miles to cover before nightfall.”

“Alright, then. Safe travels and good fortune. Come back to us soon with good news.” The two men shook hands, and then Tvrdik backed away while Mark and Delphine kissed goodbye. An odd twinge went through him, seeing their closeness, but he dismissed it. Mark backed through the gate, burdened with his packs, and started up the Riverwalk, waving to them as he rounded the first bend and disappeared.

“Delphine, will you stay awhile?” Tvrdik invited.

“I will,” she lifted her chin in defiance of gloom, “and the first thing we had better do is get back to your exercises.”

“What?” exclaimed the mage.

“Come on. That arm will never be back to normal if we don’t keep them up. And don’t try to tell me you have been doing them on your own, because I won’t believe it.”

He hung his head in guilty admission, and allowed her to escort him back to the house, where she started him on his regimen of stretching and strengthening moves. He was surprised to see that he was stiff, and had lost some ground since their last session.

“You see,” Delphine scolded, “you
do
need me. I apologize for falling down on the job. I promise to come over often and remedy that.”

“Do.” he replied, and they both laughed, though Tvrdik was also wincing as they worked on retraining his injured muscles.

“Why is the place so quiet?” Delphine asked.

“Hmmm…Stewart has also gone on his pilgrimage to round up all the talking animals for our cause. Lynette is out, I think, picking wildflowers for the tables, and should be back presently. Mr. and Mrs. Praeger are in the back assessing the work required to convert the dormitories for their use…”