Bronze Magic (Book 1) Read online

  “Scary, isn’t it?” Tarkyn grinned and shrugged, his tone robbing his words of any ill intent. “Just as well I have that little spell or I’d be dead five times over by now.” Before anyone had the chance to respond to this, he reverted to the original topic, “Anyway, one way or another, I’m sure Stormaway, Danton and I can devise a way to neutralise the wolves. We’ll do a bit of experimenting and see what we can come up with.”

  “And do you want us to deal with the perimeter guards?” asked Danton.

  “No thank you, young man,” replied Ancient Elm firmly. “The guards cannot be allowed the chance to report back what they have seen.”

  Danton frowned and asked, his voice thick with suspicion, “So how are you planning to ensure that?”

  Waterstone rolled his eyes, “Not another one. First Tarkyn, now you, thinking we’re going to kill off everyone in sight. We’ll do the same as we did to you. Slingshots. Knock them all out. We’ll just have to hit them simultaneously so none of them raises the alarm at seeing their colleagues go down.” He shrugged, “We couldn’t use arrows even if we wanted to. Too many people would find the arrows and become alerted to our presence - which is exactly what we don’t want. Slingshots just leave harmless, unidentifiable little rocks.”

  Danton’s eyes narrowed. “You lot must be pretty good even to consider pulling off a feat like that.”

  “We are,” responded Rainstorm promptly, smiling evilly.

  Waterstone gave a short laugh. “Stop it Rainstorm!” Then he smiled wryly at Danton, “Though actually, he’s right. We are.”

  “Good then,” said Danton dryly, “As long as we all know where we stand.”

  ithin an hour, those woodfolk who were going to the encampment for the rescue or further on to look for Falling Rain were packed up and strung out through the forest. Where possible, they did not travel in single file but flowed through the forest across a broad front so that there were not many feet tramping over the same ground. The rays of the afternoon sun slanted through the yellowing leaves of old sycamors catching swirling spirals of dust in their wake. Tarkyn walked with Danton and Stormaway as they discussed plans for dealing with the wolves.

  “So, do you think that you can use ‘Shturrum’ on animals?” asked Stormaway as he hitched his pack more comfortably on his shoulder. “And in particular on the wolves?”

  Tarkyn shrugged, “It doesn’t matter whether I can or can’t. You won’t let me go near the place.”

  “Well, I can’t use the ‘Shturrum’ spell,” said Danton. “Can you?”When the wizard shook his head, Danton continued, “So there’s not much point in thinking about it if His Highness can’t come with us into the encampment to do it.”

  “Perhaps I could … ” began Tarkyn.

  “You could not.” Stormaway overrode him firmly. “The woodfolk are vowed to protect you. If they knowingly allow you to go into danger and you come to harm, the forests are forfeit. Besides which, they need your protection in return.”

  Tarkyn stared at him. “So. We have reached the paradox already. If I insist on going on this raid with you, the woodfolk will risk the forest if they refuse me, but they will also risk the forest if they comply because they won’t be protecting me.”

  Stormaway nodded briskly. “Exactly. So you must not order them, or me, to take you with us into danger.”

  “Not to mention the trees… ” said Waterstone appearing quietly beside them.

  Danton frowned, “What do you mean, the trees?”

  Waterstone smiled gently, “I don’t think the forest will allow Tarkyn out to face such danger either. It didn’t when he first arrived. None of us understood why at the time. But now it is obvious. Because he is the forest guardian, the forest is protecting its own.”

  “Well, blast the lot of you!” exploded Tarkyn in frustration. “Here I am trying to fulfil my vow to protect you and fight for you all and all you want to do is keep me mollycoddled and safe.” He hitched his pack angrily. “What’s the point in being a champion tournament fighter if I can’t even put it into practice?”

  “The power you drew from the tree yesterday saved us all from the storm and whatever was waiting for us on the high ground,” pointed out Waterstone, walking quickly to keep up with the prince’s agitated strides.

  Tarkyn threw him a seething glance. “I was hardly putting myself on the line to do that. I, myself, wasn’t in any danger.”

  “You don’t have to put yourself in danger to work to protect us. You can do most things from a distance anyway,” objected the woodman. He paused, “Danger is not necessarily something to be sought after…. On which point, may I have a few words in private with you?” He smiled perfunctorily at the other two. “I won’t keep him long.”

  So saying, Waterstone turned his footsteps apart from the others, calmly assuming the disgruntled young prince would follow him. Tarkyn shot an angry parting glare at the other two and did indeed follow in the woodman’s wake. By the time they were out of earshot and out of sight, Tarkyn’s curiosity had gone a long way towards dampening his anger. Waterstone gave him a warm, solid smile and under its influence, Tarkyn could feel himself becoming calmer and more centred.

  Eventually, he smiled back, once more on an even footing. “All right. I know. I’m being silly. I just hate feeling trapped by people’s good intentions and by the forest.”

  Waterstone’s eyes twinkled. “Not so silly. It’s disappointing to miss out on the excitement, such as there may be.”

  “Be fair, Waterstone. It is not the excitement.” Tarkyn gave a slight smile. “Well, not just the excitement.”

  “I do know that,” replied Waterstone dryly. He hesitated, “Tarkyn, there is something I wanted to ask you.” He wove his way through a thick cluster of bushes then stopped to watch Tarkyn emerge behind him. “Tarkyn, I need to ask a favour of you.” He took a deep breath. “While Ancient Oak and I are undertaking this rescue attempt and afterwards if things go awry, could you, I mean would you, look after Sparrow and keep her safe?”

  The colour drained from Tarkyn’s face. He stared at the woodman. Seeing the prince’s reaction, Waterstone’s face tightened. “I’m sorry. I should not have asked you….”

  Tarkyn shook his head a little and frowned fiercely. “No, Waterstone, you should ask. Of course I will look after Sparrow. I am her uncle. Remember? And I accept wholeheartedly that family members ‘may call upon each other’s strength in times of need.’” He waved his hand and let it fall. “I am just shocked, that’s all. Your request has finally brought home to me the seriousness of what is about to happen. It’s deadly serious, isn’t it?” He gave a wry half smile and scratched his head. “I am offended by my own behaviour.”

  Waterstone gave Tarkyn a pat on the shoulder. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. I know you want to play your part in protecting us.”

  “Yes I do, and I have to warn you, I really do not like being dictated to.”

  They travelled in silence for a while as they negotiated a shalecovered steep downward slope dotted with spiky bushes that provided unwelcoming handholds. When they reached the bottom of the gully, they scooped handfuls of water from a clear stream before tackling the loose footing of the next steep slope. The effort of picking their way diagonally up the treacherous shale put paid to any conversation until they reached the top of the rise.

  Tarkyn stood with his hands on his hips as he caught his breath and broached the subject he had been dreading, “Waterstone, I also have something I need to say.” He glanced at his friend and took a deep breath, “I am very much afraid that all woodfolk are now subject to the oath.”

  Waterstone looked aghast.“No! They can’t be.”

  Tarkyn smiled sadly. “I can see from your face, my friend, how much you still dread that your kin should be subject to my authority, despite all my efforts to mitigate it.”

  “No matter how kind or careful the subjugation, it is not freedom,” responded Waterstone tartly.

  Tarkyn raised
his hand dispiritedly and let it fall. “Anyway, I don’t want them to know.”

  Waterstone looked stonily at him. “What makes you suddenly think they are subject to the oath?”

  “Rainstorm’s attack. You had your back to the turbulence in the trees. I hope no one else noticed. He attacked me again later, just to test it and the same thing happened.”

  “Oh stars above, Tarkyn! How did this come about?”

  Tarkyn gave the ghost of a smile, “At least you’re not assuming I deliberately caused it.” He shook his head, “I don’t know. I think it was either when the woodfolk said they couldn’t help their own people to break an oath, or when you and I joined arms in the woodfolk ceremony.”

  The woodman threw up his hands. “This is going to cause mayhem.”

  “Waterstone, you weren’t listening. I said I don’t want them to know.”

  Waterstone stopped dead, clearly thinking through all the ramifications. “Not telling them will work on the short run to avoid more resentment provided, of course, that you don’t issue any direct orders.” A thought struck him. “It could just be the forest protecting its guardian.”

  “Maybe. I hadn’t thought of that. Either way, only Rainstorm and North Wind know about it and I want it to stay that way. Unless we can be sure that it is, in fact, only the forest protecting its own, I don’t want anyone else to know.”

  Waterstone raised his eyebrows. “Is that an order?” he asked caustically.

  “Don’t do this to me,” said Tarkyn tiredly. “If your principles insist that you go back there and upset a whole lot of people when they need to be working together, go right ahead. I’m not going to stop you.” Tarkyn turned his steps in the direction that Danton and Stormaway had taken. “And if you want to have a council of war with all woodfolk to decide how to deal with this person who has subjugated you, and stolen your freedom, just do it. I think it’s time we rejoined the others.”

  In a woodfolk flick of movement, Waterstone was suddenly standing on the path ahead of the prince, facing him.

  Tarkyn stopped and put his hands on his hips. “Now what?”

  “I am sorry, my friend, for being unkind. Just as anger overwhelms you, so does resentment overwhelm me from time to time. We both know the situation was not of your making.” Waterstone grimaced, “I wish I could say that I hadn’t meant to upset you but that wouldn’t be true. The best I can say is, that now I have upset you, I am remorseful.”

  The prince heaved a sigh, his face shuttered. “Life was a lot easier when it wasn’t an affront to anyone if I issued an order. And life was a lot easier when I didn’t know most of my liegemen. And although you may be remorseful, the damage is done. Your fundamental attitude to me is painfully clear. So, let’s leave it, shall we?”

  Tarkyn pushed past Waterstone and continued up the path. Moments later, Waterstone again stood before him barring his way.

  The prince’s eyebrows snapped together. “Now I am really getting angry. Get out of my way!”

  “No!” The trees on either side of them thrashed in a sudden whirlwind. “Be angry if you like. We must resolve this.”

  “There is nothing to resolve!” stated Tarkyn flatly and moved forward to pass Waterstone again.

  Waterstone flicked himself backwards several yards so that he was yet again standing in front of Tarkyn.

  The prince’s eyes glittered. “Do you know how much restraint I am using to prevent myself from throwing a spell at you?”

  Waterstone gave a little bow, “Much appreciated. Although, of course, it would be cheating, wouldn’t it?”

  “You’re using magic. Why shouldn’t I?”

  The woodman shook his head. “I’m not using it on you. I’m using it on me.”

  “That’s a specious argument, if ever I heard one. You’re using it to affect me.”

  Waterstone shrugged, “Needs must. We can’t afford to be at loggerheads right now. So stop running away and listen to what I have to say.”

  Tarkyn crossed his arms and stared grimly at the woodman. “I’m listening.”

  “Tarkyn, you’ve always known I resented you becoming our liege lord. You saw it in my memories and I told you this morning how much I hate the oath. But that is not the most important factor in my dealings with you. Nearly always, you and I are on the same side. I’m not just supporting you because I have to…I don’t have to. You have allowed us the freedom to speak our thoughts. In fact, you have insisted on it. I might wish that that freedom was not at your discretion but that is the best the situation allows.” Waterstone shrugged. “I am not going to stand here extolling your virtues to convince you that you mean more to me than an imposed ruler. You must know that. I just reacted badly when the whole issue of the oath came up again. I can’t undo it. I can only reiterate that I am sorry.”

  Tarkyn uncrossed his arms and sighed. “And I reacted badly to your resentment. Stormaway did warn me, if you remember, that I must allow for it.” He started to walk along the path and this time, Waterstone turned and fell in beside him. “So, do you agree that we shouldn’t tell anyone?”

  Waterstone smiled, “Yes, although it would be nice to give them one in the eye.”

  The prince glanced at him, “I did wonder about that; whether the oath might be creating a class difference, so to speak. The free and the oathbound.”

  The woodman nodded shortly. “It is a bit, with, as you know, the home guard on the bottom of the heap.”

  “Ironic, isn’t it? In sorcerer society, the home guard would be on the top of the heap.” Tarkyn glanced at the woodman again before chancing his next comment, “So, it would be much better if everyone were subject to the oath, wouldn’t it?”

  Tarkyn watched as his friend repressed a quick frown of consternation. The woodman glanced at the prince to find him smiling in anticipation.

  “Very funny,” scowled Waterstone. “In actual fact, it would be easier for us and harder for them.” He shrugged and after some hesitation added, “But in truth, I wouldn’t wish it on them.”

  “No,” said Tarkyn quietly, “Neither would I.”

  hen the woodman and the sorcerer rejoined Danton and Stormaway, they found them deep in conversation with Summer Rain. Stormaway looked around as they arrived and said buoyantly, “She’s cracked it. Summer Rain has come up with the perfect plan for dealing with the wolves.”

  “Well done,” said Tarkyn, falling into the natural assumption that their actions were aimed at pleasing him. After a moment, he frowned. “But I didn’t know you could use magic.”

  “I can’t,” replied Summer Rain. “But magic is not the answer to all problems.”

  “True. So what have you come up with?”

  “Poison. Stormaway can dope the wolves’ food. It doesn’t have to be lethal, just enough to put them to sleep for a few hours. Stormaway and I can easily concoct something.”

  Tarkyn beamed. “Brilliant! We were all so focused on using magic that we forgot straightforward ideas. Now all we have to do is come up with a distraction.” The prince gazed around at them all. “That will be easy enough. I’ll just shoot a ray of my bronze magic up into the sky from a safe distance and they will all come rushing to look for me.”

  Three people looked at him in consternation while Waterstone said dryly, “That would work, certainly.” He continued sarcastically, “Of course, it would give your presence away and give them a signpost to the location of the rest of the woodfolk in the expedition but other than that, great idea.”

  “Do you think?” said Tarkyn, laughing at their reactions. “Actually, I was thinking that I could probably link up with the horses in the encampment and ask them to create a distraction. What do you think?”

  “Much more sensible,” replied Summer Rain repressively.

  Tarkyn’s eyes met Waterstone’s and lit with amusement. Danton spotted this and looked quickly away, experiencing a stab of envy that he quickly repressed as being unworthy. Amidst this group of strangers, Danton suddenly felt
very lonely. Gradually, he became aware of a wash of quizzical understanding seeping into him and looked up to see the prince watching him.

  “I’ll tell you later,” mouthed Tarkyn silently.

  A little ball of tension disappeared inside Danton as he smiled back and nodded.

  The five of them were walking along a winding path through a grove of tall spreading beeches catching the last of the afternoon sun when Danton was finally able to speak to the prince.

  “So what was that all about with you and Waterstone and Summer Rain?”

  Tarkyn raised his eyebrows, “Very good, Danton. You got their names right.” He smiled, “Summer Rain has no sense of humour. So Waterstone and I were just smiling about it. It can be very daunting if you crack a joke and she reacts totally seriously. I’ve done it often, much to my discomfort. She’s a competent healer, though. She brought me through after my run-in with Andoran and Sargon.”

  “What happened? Stormaway said you were badly injured.

  Despite himself, Tarkyn couldn’t bring himself to reveal everything to his friend. “I fell out of the tree that I had escaped into. The fall dislocated my shoulder and broke several ribs. Apparently, I hit my head several times on the way down and was unconscious for nearly two weeks.”

  “Stars above, Sire!” Danton’s eyes were round. “Those men should be horse-whipped for what they did to you.”

  Tarkyn smiled wryly, “Unfortunately the opposite is true. If they had succeeded in returning me, they would have been rewarded instead.”

  “And what is the reward, I wonder?” asked Danton in an unnervingly thoughtful voice.

  Tarkyn flicked a sideways glance at him, “I don’t know, but I’m sure it would be enough to set you up comfortably for the rest of your life. I would be offended, if it were any less.”

  Danton rubbed his hands together and grinned. “Good then. I’ll just wait my chance, bung you over my shoulder and away we go. Then I can live comfortably for the rest of my life, battling it out with my conscience.”