To Hold Back The Dark - Chapter Eleven
Roughly an hour later, the entire group was assembled in the dining room. The ladies had bathed and were feeling much better. The men had all washed up and changed clothes. All of them were hungry and looking forward to a good meal. While they waited for service, some of the local people arrived. Most of them had been present when Michael and Allanah had arrived before. After Mark greeted the other patrons, he brought mugs and ale over to their table.
"Supper is almost ready. We have a hearty stew, bread, cheese, and fruit. There's plenty, so don't be shy about asking for seconds. Excuse me." He nodded to someone and then hurried over to another table.
"I hope that the Marillian contingent arrives soon. I hate sitting around and waiting," Rhea said.
"Me, too," Allanah agreed. "Even though I know what's out there, I just want to get this over with."
John couldn't stop an involuntary shiver. "You sound so ominous, as if we're going to meet our own deaths."
"We just may be," Ardis said.
"Well, father taught me to think positively, and I think that applies even more so in this case. We have to believe that we will find this thing and beat it. To believe otherwise will only insure our defeat." John hoped he sounded confident because he wasn't feeling that way.
"John's right. But, being this close to where I was attacked gives me the creeps. Who knows what lies just outside that door?" Allanah indicated the now bolted and barred front door.
"How can these people live in such fear?" Cosima wondered. "I could never stand it."
"We manage." She hadn't realized that Mark was standing behind her seat. "We've grown accustomed to living our lives around the creatures that we share the land with. It's a simple matter of survival. So, is that why you came? To kill the wolves?"
"No. We're here for other reasons." David didn't feel like telling everything to Mark. He wasn't too sure about the man. He didn't match the description that Michael and Allanah had given and that bothered David.
Mark nodded. "You must be here for the evil that lives in the mountains. Well, I wish you luck then. You'll need it. I believe your supper is ready." Mark walked into the kitchen.
"How strange he is. How strange they all seem to be," Ciris murmured.
Before anyone else could reply, Mark and a serving girl entered the room with heavily laden trays of food. Supper was, indeed, ready, and they were more than ready to eat it.
The rest of the evening passed quickly. They were all tired and went upstairs early. Each and every one of them fell into a deep sleep and they awoke the next morning refreshed and eager to be on their way once the other contingents arrived. They passed the morning by going over their maps and memorizing the layout of the mountains.
It was while they were eating lunch that David decided they should contact King Mark and let him know that they were safe in Morvalia and waiting for the Marillians and Morvalians to arrive.
He looked over at Ardis with concern. "Can your mind reach Tralik from here?"
She laughed. "Please don't insult me. I have a very long range and can easily reach Tralik. I'd prefer to do it now, before I eat."
"Oh, can't you do it on a full stomach?" David teased.
"Telepathy can make some people nauseous. It's hardly noticeable for some people, but for myself....well, I'd rather have an empty stomach."
Ardis leaned back in her chair and stared, using her ale mug as a focus point for her thoughts and energies. Within seconds she had made contact with Evan Gambine, the King's chief mage.
She smiled, "Gambine reports the following: the King is glad that we've made such good time and assures us that the group from Marille and a group from Morvalia should be here shortly. They are in the middle of a council meeting and....", her smile vanished as her voice trailed off.
"No. It can't be," she finally gasped.
Everyone looked at her with concern and she looked at John. For some reason, her gaze chilled him to the bone. "The King is gone," she softly said.
Everyone at the table looked at her in disbelief, their mouths agape from the stunning news. John, however, felt more puzzled than stunned.
"What do you mean by "gone"? Is he dead?"
"No. He's just gone. Gambine says that the King was saying something to Duke William when he just disappeared." She held up her hand to stave off their questions while she listened again. She nodded and looked at John.
"Duke William wants to know what his instructions are."
John sat back abruptly. Instructions? He had no right to give anybody instructions on anything. His father wasn't, couldn't, be dead. He wasn't prepared to take over now. He had expected to have at least thirty or more years to himself before he had to rule Trayille. Instructions? What the hell was he supposed to tell his uncle?
"Your Highness?"
John turned to look at Ciris.
"Your Highness, with your father's fate unknown, you become Regent. Your Kingdom needs you, as does the council. They need you in Tralik. Not in some roadside inn in another kingdom."
John nodded, then turned to Ardis. What Ciris had said was true and practical. He should return to Tralik immediately. However, he desperately wanted to stay and continue with this mission.
He cleared his throat. "Tell Duke William that the King's disappearance is to be kept secret. He can make up any story he thinks will work. I don't want the whole Kingdom panicked over this. I want a thorough search of the castle and it's surrounding area for any sign of my father or any clue of what may have happened to him. If nothing turns up, then I want Duke William to contact the Mages on the Amber Isle and ask for their help in locating the King. I will let him know later if I and when I will be returning. He should feel free to reach me at any time."
Ardis nodded and transmitted the message exactly as he had said it.
Ciris was shocked. "Your Highness, you must return to Tralik at once. You are needed there."
"I am aware of that, Ciris. How do you propose that I get there? I can't risk my own life; so therefore, I can't ride alone. This mission needs every single one of you in order to succeed; so therefore, I can't take one or more of you with me. It seems that you are stuck with me for a short time at best. Under the circumstances, I think I'm safer here." John hoped he was thinking logically and not letting his thirst for adventure get the better of his judgment. One lesson that his father had drilled into him was that a ruler always put the good of the Kingdom above his own wants and desires. His father also told him that there was a time and place for everything, and it would not do for a ruler to give into his fears and grief in the middle of a dining room. There were many things that were best done in the privacy of your own room. He stood. "If you'll excuse me, I have some things that need to be taken care of in my room. Someone else can finish my stew, I am not very hungry right now." With that he turned and walked to the stairs, ascending with what he hoped was decorum.
Allanah watched him leave and wondered whether or not to follow. She decided that perhaps it would be best for his pride and grief if she let him be alone for a little while and then went up there to talk. He had always been able to talk freely with her and she to him. In the meantime, she needed time to get over her shock, as did they all. The King was well loved and respected. It was difficult to think of him being gone, perhaps even dead.
David finally broke the silence. "Well, I certainly can't take the Regent into danger."
"David, you have no say in the matter. As has been pointed out, John is the Regent, and as Regent, he can go wherever and whenever he wants. You can't stop him or keep him away," Corin informed him.
"But to insist on walking into danger is the act of a child, not the act of a ruler," Ciris insisted.
Allanah rolled her eyes Heavenward. "Ciris, that's a stupid line of reasoning. King Mark put himself and the then, Prince David of Marille in danger when he and Prince William fought to regain Trayille. If this "thing" that we're out here to investigate can't be stopped, then it may just destroy Trayille, Morvalia, and Marille. What good is it to be a Regent or King with no Kingdom?"
"At least he'd be there to take it back, just as his father did."
"Prince Richard and Princess Mara can do that just as well as he can, and if they fail, then there's Prince William and his children. The Arden line does not end with Prince John."
"Allanah's right. If we fail, then it really doesn't matter, anyhow," Michael said. "Besides, we should try to look at it from Prince John's point of view. All his life he's been trained as a fighter and tactician as well as how to be a King. How will it make him feel if we make him stay behind or send him home? How can be ever feel like a ruler if he's never had the chance to test his courage in combat, or even had the chance to lead? How can he tell the entire Kingdom what to do if we won't listen to him now?"
"Ruling in itself is a test of courage, Michael," Cosima stated. "Still, at his age, I suspect that you are correct. His pride and ego mean a lot to him, and they shouldn't be damaged. It wouldn't be fair of us to treat the Regent as a child, even if we think he's behaving as one." She directed the last part to her husband, who though frowning, nodded his agreement.
"Well, there's no sense arguing about it now. We can't continue until the groups from Marille and Morvalia arrive. Speaking of which, why aren't they here yet?"
"Excuse me for interrupting," Mark said. He had come to refill their cups. "The group from Morvalia is here. It's us."
"Who do you mean by us?" David asked. There were no new people in the room. Just some of the same locals from the night before.
"Myself, and a few of the regulars here. We know this area and all its dangers. Also, several sorcerers call this region home. We're secluded enough for them to get a little peace and rest away from the rest of the world."
"You said a few of the regulars. How many is a few?" David inquired.
Mark paused, thinking. "Well, there's myself. There's Old Worrell, and Granger, Williard, Maria, Oskar, Paul, Luke, and Josah. A total of nine, four of which are magic users, one that's a healer, and four that know the woods and all its dangers."
"Then we're only waiting on the group from Marille," Ardis said.
They all heard a pounding sound from the hallway. "That may be them," Mark commented as he sat the pitcher down. He hurried out and soon returned with seven people in tow. "I was right."
"May we please have something warm to drink? It's freezing out there." The speaker emerged from his cape and faced the table. He was a large man with flaming red hair and mustache and beard to match. Everyone at the table knew him, but that didn't stop him from introducing himself to the world at large. "I'm Rufus McNair, King Richard's Head Mage. You should see the snow up in the mountains. We had better find this thing fast or we will freeze our collective butts off." He stopped his bellowing and his piercing blue eyes stared abruptly at Allanah. "Aren't you Allanah Morningstar? You are. I remember you, girl. I taught you a few things your first year on the Amber Isle. I never forget a student, remember that."
Allanah certainly remembered him. She knew that he was more than old enough to have gray hair, and yet there wasn't any to be seen. Back on the Amber Isle, there had been tales of how Rufus had fought side by side with Prince David and Prince Mark to win Trayille back from Prince Mark's Uncle. Later he had served as advisor to King David before finally accepting a teaching position on the Amber Isle. Even then he was one of the most accomplished mages throughout all the Kingdoms and it came as no surprise when King Richard asked him to be his advisor when he took the throne a short six years ago. Rufus had accepted on the condition that he be allowed to teach one more year. Allanah, Michael, and Prince John had been lucky enough to be his students during that year. Allanah remembered his lessons far better than those learned in later years.
Rufus frowned, "You were such a promising student. What in the Hell are you doing here? I thought only old-timers like Ardis and me were allowed to volunteer."
"I didn't exactly volunteer. I have first hand experience with this thing and am here as a guide."
"Ah, that's different then. So, Ardis, who else have you brought?"
"Cosima and Ciris Torchuk, as you can plainly see."
"And?" he ignored her taunt.
"That's it. Just us three."
"Then who are all these people?" he waved his arm, indicating the others sitting at the table.
"This is Aline Morningstar, she's a traveling healer. The other's work for the King. This is David Windwillow, Michael McShane..."
"I taught you, too. Didn't see you there behind that other fellow. I never forget a student, remember that."
Ardis continued as if she had never been interrupted. "This is Rhea McShane, and Corin Morningstar. Corin is also a healer."
"Quite a lot of Morningstar's aren't there? Well, I've got six with me. People, not Morningstar's. Don't want you to get confused. This lovely lady is Princess Margaret; she's a Priestess of the Cathedral, but she's still a damned fine magician despite her religious leanings. This stern looking old-timer is Brody McGuire, a sorcerer and a damn fine one at that. He's not as stern as he looks as you can tell by the way he's already got himself seated and drinking. Hey, where's mine?" Mark deftly handed him a cup of warm, mulled wine and Rufus took a long swallow before continuing. "Next is Andrea Windwalker, she does something magical, but I can't remember what it is."
"I'm a healer." The Elf's voice was warm and rich as was her smile and all the men took an immediate liking to her.
"Healing's magic, girl, remember that. This is Andrew McPhibb, he's another former student of mine. Same class as the two of you."
Allanah and Michael smiled to Andrew in recognition. After Rufus's class, they had been in many other classes together.
"Come to think of it, he's too good to be here, too, but he volunteered. Sitting next to him is Tania McPhibb, his sister and another student of mine. By God! I must have been a damned good teacher to turn out so many good magicians. The mark of a magician is set in the first year of training, remember that. Where was I? Ah, yes. Last, but closest to my heart, my son, Douglas McNair. No magical talent, but he's one Hell of a fighter. I never leave home without him."
Douglas was the spitting image of his father, but as far as they could tell, he didn't bellow like Rufus, which was a good thing. Too much bellowing in the mountains could bring down an avalanche.
"Now, how about some food," Rufus roared as Mark placed a pot of stew on the table and the serving girl set out spoons and bowls. "By God, a mind-reader. We should take him along!"
"I am coming."
"I was joking, son." Rufus sat down.
"I wasn't. I'm representing Morvalia."
"Humph! You must be awfully good if King James sent only you!"
"I'm not alone, there are eight others with me."
"Hmm. Let's see, there's seven of us, nine of you, and nine from Trayille. Twenty-five in all. I don't like odd numbers."
"Aline's not going with us," David quickly said.
"Twenty-four's a much better number."
"But we do have another," Allanah said. David frowned at her. He did not want to take Prince John along.
"Now we're back to twenty-five. The girl will have to come just to make it twenty-six. A healer is always welcome."
Aline couldn't keep from grinning since she was now going!
"So, who else is with you?"
"Prince John, Allanah replied."
"So, King Mark finally let his pup out of his sight? I guess he finally learned a lesson from King David on that. He was a student, too. Prince John, not King Mark. I don't want you to be confused. Prince John is a damned fine magician. Where is he?"
"Upstairs. There were some matters that he had to attend to in his room," David said.
"Is he in charge of this trip."
"No, I am," David and Ardis said at the same time.
They could see the confused expression in Rufus' eyes, so Ardis hastened to clear up the confusion. "David's in charge, overall, but when we get down to needing any magic, I'm in charge of our group."
"I'm glad you got that straight. I felt a little worried for a second there. Thought you people didn't know what the Hell you were doing. Seeing to matters in his room? What the Hell could need seeing to up there?" Rufus suddenly slapped his hand on the table, causing the dishes to lift up and everyone else to jump back. "Don't tell me that King Mark's disappeared too?"
"King Richard's gone?",Cosima asked.
"That's what I just said, isn't it?. We just found out about an hour ago. He just vanished into thin air. I should have been there and not here. Still, this is where my King wanted me to be." Rufus looked at Mark, who was setting out loaves of bread and rounds of cheese on the tables. "King James is still around, isn't he?"
"Well, to be honest, no. I was informed this morning that he vanished during breakfast. He was holding a bowl of grapes at the time, so at least he has some food with him. Of course, that doesn't exactly comfort the Queen, but at least he won't starve. At least for a little while."
Allanah couldn't believe that Mark was still behaving in such a silly manner. "I need some fresh air. Michael, would you please come with me?"
"Sure"
As the two exited the room, Corin had to restrain himself from following. He still felt betrayed by what had happened between the two of them, but he knew he had to find a way to bring himself to trust them both, or risk losing them both forever. He turned his attention to Princess Margaret, who was a very good conversationalist and pretty to look at, too. He knew she was the same age as King Richard and had grown up with her cousin. The two were close, and he knew she had to be worried over his disappearance. Corin felt that engaging her in idle conversation might take her mind off the worst possibilities for the moment.