Trillium - Sky Trillium Part 23

No no no...

The Prince seemed to see his mother's face, tears pouring from her eyes. She called his name again and again, pleading for him to surrender the coronet to the sorcerer so that her life and the lives of the babies in her womb would be spared. But Tolivar had been unaccountably struck dumb. He could not answer her. No matter how hard he tried, he could not p.r.o.nounce the single word "yes" that would free his mother.

Could not give up his talisman.

No! Never!

He woke with a start, rising up on his elbows, and looked frantically around the feather-loft. It was much later in the day. A beam of afternoon sunlight illumined dancing dust motes. The four knights had apparently awakened and gone downstairs. Only his own mind's ear still perceived the echo of Queen Anigel's heartbroken appeal and his own shameful refusal.

Unless it had been a dream after all.

He would have to discover the truth of it. The promise he had made to his aunt now did seem naught but the words of a gullible, frightened child. What right had the Lady of the Eyes to demand that he eschew magic, especially when his mother's life might depend upon his use of it?

"Talisman," he whispered, tightening his grip on the hidden metal circlet. "Show me Queen Anigel." He closed his eyes, and into his mind sprang a vision, as though he were one of the Sobranian birds soaring down from a height and coming to rest upon a tree branch a few ells above the ground.

In a sizable forest clearing, several hundred heavily armed warriors took their ease. Some of them were Star Men, wearing steel breastplates over their wizard garb, and helmets with pointed metal spikes. In the midst of the army was an open-sided cloth pavilion. Orogastus sat beneath it, drinking wine from a golden cup. Just outside the shelter stood Naelore, clad in gleaming black-and-silver armor and smiling triumphantly as the army cheered her. She held a longsword.

Tied to a small tree before the sorceress was Queen Anigel.

The prisoner's robe was stained and torn, her blond hair straggled in disarray, and her wrists and ankles were bruised and b.l.o.o.d.y from the rawhide thongs that bound her. As Tolivar watched in horror, Naelore's sword descended until the sharp point rested between his mother's b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Very lightly, the blade moved down her belly, inscribing a short vertical cut in the robe's coa.r.s.e cloth.

As always, his talisman's vision was silent. The Archd.u.c.h.ess appeared to be plying the Queen with questions, but Anigel remained serenely indifferent, her gaze unfocused. The throng of soldiers and Star Men were laughing derisively.

"Mother!" Tolivar moaned softly. "Oh, Mother."

Queen Anigel could not hear her son-but evidently Oro-gastus could. His head turned and he seemed to look directly at the Prince. The Star Master's helmet had rays longer and more ornate than those of the other Guild members. A visor masked the upper part of his face, but his sardonic silvery eyes were clearly visible. Even though the sorcerer's lips did not move, Tolivar heard his voice speak distinctly.

Tell no one what you have seen, or else the Queen and your brothers in her womb will be executed here and now. Remember: Meet me at midnight at the fountain near the palace. I will be in disguise, but you will know me. Bring both the coronet and the star-box. Do you understand?

Tolivar was finally able to say the word.

"Yes," he whispered. "I will do as you say."

The vision vanished, and the Prince saw only a reddish void behind his closed eyelids. Bitter tears flowed their way out and slid slowly down his face. He paid them no heed, lying still as a stone with the talisman clutched in his hands until his helpless rage melted into numb misery. After a long time, his Aunt Kadiya called his name and told him to descend for the evening meal.

"Coming," he said, and tucked the Three-Headed Monster back into his shirt with its sharp cusps turned inward, so that they p.r.i.c.ked his bare skin.

It was an hour past sunset on the next day when the Cadoon sailing craft, manned by Critch alone, came slowly into the harbor of Brandoba. Behind it, across the estuary to the west, were towering clouds tinted with sullen purple-a sure portent of rain before morning. The light wind that had slowed their pa.s.sage now also swung around to the west, helping the aboriginal skipper to guide his small boat through waters crowded with galleys, lofty-masted merchantmen, and a myriad of lesser craft anch.o.r.ed in the roadstead. The rigging of most of the vessels twinkled with colored gla.s.s oil-lamps, in honor of the Festival of the Birds.

Inland, the Sobranian capital city was ablaze with light. Fire-baskets on tall pylons lined the boulevards and main streets, and festoons of lanterns hung from every building. The waterfront esplanade was thronged with costumed people who danced and cavorted and even swung from the ornamental bal.u.s.trades along the quays. Several bra.s.s bands on the wide esplanade stairs were apparently having a musical contest, seeing which could drown out the others.

Critch's pa.s.sengers stayed belowdecks when his boat neared the sh.o.r.e, since it would have been suspicious if humans were seen on an aboriginal vessel. Kadiya and the others peered out from the boat's portholes, watching the spectacle, until Critch tied up at a quay used only by Cadoon traders, situated some distance from the central harbor area.

The feather-hunter went briefly onto the dock to speak to the local Folk, then reboarded and called down into the cabin. "It is safe for you to come up and disembark."

Jagun and the Prince climbed the companionway ladder first, followed by those who were going ash.o.r.e. Kadiya and the Oathed Companions wore costumes purchased from Critch that would enable them to pa.s.s unnoticed among the festival celebrants. But because the cabin had been so dark and cramped, this coming on deck was the first opportunity for them to see each other clearly in the fancy dress they had donned with the help of Jagun and Tolivar.

The Lady of the Eyes wore a cape and under-robe of gorgeous iridescent purple plumage. Atop her matching hood was a tall yellow crest, and a golden beak above her brow shaded her face. Her talisman in its scabbard was concealed beneath her cloak.

"You look splendid, Fa.r.s.eer," Jagun said, and she made a mocking bow.

The brothers Kalepo and Melpotis were both dressed in dark blue costumes intended to represent nyars. Their large, enveloping headpieces had wide-open befanged beaks, through which they were able to see. Edinar's plumage was bright red, with a peculiar flat bill attached to his hood. When Melpotis snickered at the young knight's droll appearance, Edinar found the built-in noisemaker in his headpiece and blew a raucous quack that sent the two nyars into gales of laughter.

The final costumed figure to emerge was Sir Sainlat. Because of his heroic physique, only one avian disguise had been found to fit him-that of a marine pothi-bird. It was fashioned of bright pink feathers and had a ludicrous wide-spreading rose-and-black fantail mounted at the rear. The feathered hood left Sainlat's face exposed except for his nose, which was concealed behind a big cone-shaped black beak.

"I feel like a perfect idiot," the big knight said cheerfully.

"You look even worse," Edinar a.s.sured him.

"I congratulate your family's skill," Kadiya said to Critch. "The costumes are excellently made. They do not restrict one's motion overmuch, and our armor and weapons hidden beneath are quite unnoticeable."

The Cadoon opened a large wicker hamper that stood on deck and took out a net bag filled with rounded colored objects. "Perhaps you would like to take some of these. They are griss eggs, blown dry, filled with confetti and sneeze-spores and sealed with wax. It is an old carnival custom to smash them and scatter the contents on other revelers. The eggs may prove useful if you are impeded by the crowds."

"Thank you," Kadiya said to him, "but my magic will suffice for us. I do not wish us to be further enc.u.mbered. Now then: If we have not returned by dawn tomorrow, or if serious trouble breaks out in the city, put out to sea with Jagun and Prince Tolivar. I will bespeak Jagun through my talisman in due time, and he will transmit to you new instructions."

She nodded to the knights, and the men made their way down the gangplank and awaited her on the dock. In contrast to the mob scene farther along the waterfront, the area used by the aboriginal vessels was nearly deserted except for a few sailors from the handful of small boats similar to Critch's that rocked gently in the dark water. The Cadoon Folk paid no attention to the out-landishly dressed humans.

Before departing herself, Kadiya went to Prince Tolivar, who had gone to sit in the bow, and spoke a few words of admonition to him. He responded meekly. Then she returned to the waist of the boat where Jagun and Critch were standing.

"Watch the boy carefully," she told them in a low voice. "Never leave him alone for an instant. He seems very downcast and I do not think he will attempt any rash action. But if he does, bespeak me at once."

"We will take care of him, Fa.r.s.eer," the old Nyssomu a.s.sured her.

She would have gone then, but Critch bade her stay. "Lady, I have some strange tidings I must impart before you leave, told me by a certain wherryman of my race whom I encountered while securing our lines." He pointed toward the murky outer reaches of the harbor. "Do you see that great ship out there, with but a single red light at the stern?"

Kadiya nodded.

"It flies the ensign of Zinora and arrived only this afternoon.

My friend has a.s.sured me that it is not an ordinary coastal trader but a three-masted trireme galley, one of the speediest vessels afloat. Its crew are not Zinorans but Sobranians, and the owner is a n.o.bleman named Dasinzin, known to be a sympathizer of the rebel Archd.u.c.h.ess Naelore."

Kadiya muttered an imprecation and drew forth her talisman. Aiming the sword at the mysterious ship, which was little more than a black silhouette against the fading evening sky, she said, "Burning Eye, tell me if this vessel belongs to the Star Men."

The question is impertinent.

"Give me Sight of its cargo hold."

The command is impertinent.

Her face grim, Kadiya sheathed the magic sword.

"I think," Jagun said, "that your talisman has answered your query by not answering."

"Star Men-or I'm second cousin to a cross-eyed togar!" She addressed Critch: "Do you know if the Emperor's port officials have gone on board this ship?"

"Nay. Because of the impending festivities, all inspections have been postponed. Cadoon wherrymen such as my friend have brought fresh food and other supplies out to the galley, and the crew were careless in their speech around them -as humans often are when dealing with my people, thinking us dull-witted and inferior. The wherrymen learned that the vessel came not from the east, where Zinora and the other human nations lie, but from the distant northwestern lat.i.tudes, beyond the country of the lawless tribes, where none dwell save the tiny Mere Folk."

Kadiya's eyes narrowed. "Do you mean those aquatic aborigines who have Iriane, Archimage of the Sea, as their guardian?"

"Even so. But it has been said that the Blue Lady is now dead, and her Folk subjugated by the Star Guild."

Kadiya and Jagun exchanged glances. Both of them knew of Iriane's immuration in the enchanted ice, and of the probability that Orogastus had compelled the Mere Folk to gather armament of the Vanished Ones from beneath the sea. If the trireme did belong to the Star Men and carried such arcane weaponry, it might well be the precurser of an invasion.

"Thank you for this important information," Kadiya said to Critch. "I urge you to warn the local Cadoon Folk to give that ship a wide berth. Whoever it belongs to, it is here in Brandoba for no good purpose."

"I will do as you say."

"At present," Kadiya went on, "I dare not make any attempt to investigate the galley in person. I must first tell Emperor Denombo how the Star Guild abducted the other rulers, and warn him that his nation and his own life may also be in imminent danger. I will inform the Emperor of the trireme's presence and let him deal with it."

Jagun said, "We will watch the mysterious ship, Fa.r.s.eer. If the crew attempt to bring any suspicious cargo ash.o.r.e, or if they act as blatant invaders, I will bespeak you."

"Pray that the Lords of the Air will be with us tonight." Kadiya commanded her talisman again to shield her and the knights from the magical Sight of the Star Men. Then she ran down the plank onto the dock, where the four Oathed Companions waited impatiently. Inside of a few minutes the costumed infiltrators had vanished among the warehouses, leaving Jagun and Critch staring after them.

"They will not find it easy to reach the Emperor tonight," the Cadoon observed. "He will first be occupied with ceremonial duties on behalf of the G.o.ddess Matuta, and then he must preside over the great fireworks display. There will be an enormous crowd round about the palace precincts, and sometimes there are riots. The guardsmen will be on the alert. But the crowds are usually peaceful during the first night, especially if the fireworks show is a good one and the Imperial Handsel that follows is generous."

"What is a handsel?" Jagun asked him.

"A lucky gift, distributed by the Emperor to the common people in honor of the festival. Tiny packages are thrown to the crowd by maidens riding in a parade of decorated wagons. Most of the handsels contain a slip of paper with a wise or humorous saying wrapped about a candy or some other sweetmeat, but a few hold silver or gold coins-and there is always a single platinum piece to be found by the luckiest human of all."

The noise of the merrymaking crowds became louder. In addition to the music of the roving bra.s.s bands, there were now rhythmic blasts of sound from ma.s.sed birdwhistles as the people formed into impromptu parades and marched through the streets. Critch the Cadoon turned away from the colorful extravaganza on sh.o.r.e and stared glumly at the anch.o.r.ed trireme.

"The wind tonight carries upon it a scent of cold rain out of season-and of some great evil." Critch pointed overboard to the harbor waters. "And do you see how strangely discolored the sea is hereabouts? It is gray as baby-gruel, and I have never seen such a thing before, nor heard of it. I wish with all my heart that I had not agreed to bring you to Brandoba, Friend Jagun."

"By doing so, you may enable my Lady to save many lives."

Critch muttered, "Human lives!... How can you serve a mistress belonging to the race of our oppressors?"

"In our Mazy Mire country," Jagun said, "certain of my Folk have been the close allies of humankind for many hundreds, earning their respect and even their love. And in recent times, thanks to the three women known as the Petals of the Living Trillium, of whom my Lady is one, the ancient antagonism between humans and Folk has been much alleviated. We know now that the same blood flows in the veins of both our races, and so we strive to be true brothers and sisters even though we differ in appearance."

"The Sobranians think differently," Critch said, "and so do the Cadoon Folk. Why, then, are you so sure your beliefs are true?"

Jagun spent some time telling him the history of the Vanished Ones, and the great war between the Archimages and the Star Guild, and the near-destruction of the world that had resulted, and how the survivors had fared for twelves times ten hundreds until the present. When Jagun finished, Critch the Cadoon marveled at the tale-although he took a gloomy satisfaction in knowing that the world was mysteriously out of kilter, since this confirmed his own formless anxieties. Then the two aborigines stood together at the boat's rail in silence, until Prince Tolivar came away from the bow, where he had stood alone out of earshot, and addressed them.

"I slept poorly last night," the boy said. "I think I will go below now and turn in. It is not very amusing to watch a festival from so far away."

"I will go with you," Jagun said.

The Prince smiled. "There is no need."

"All the same," the old huntsman persisted, "we'll go together." He waited until the boy began to descend the companionway ladder, then followed closely behind.

Tolivar helped Jagun clear up the discarded clothing and other litter from the costuming, then climbed into one of the sailboat's narrow forward bunks and pretended to go to sleep. The Nys-somu sat for over an hour in the boat's tiny galley, then quietly crept back up on deck, just as the Prince had hoped he would.

None of the boat's portholes was more than two handspans wide and the after deck hatch was dogged shut, so the only way topside was up the ladder. Tolivar was quite certain that Jagun or Critch would guard the companionway all through the night, and he was also sure that neither of them seriously expected him to attempt an escape. They thought he was still in mourning for Ralabun, and that he would keep his word not to use magic. Since they also believed that Queen Anigel was still at liberty, they would think he had no motive to go off seeking her.

Wrong, the Prince said bleakly to himself, on every count.

Sliding out of the bunk, he put on his boots, then drew the coronet out of his shirt and settled it onto his head.

Talisman, he commanded silently, tell me where Jagun has hidden the star-box.

It is within the central locker in the galley.

Tolivar then commanded the talisman to render him invisible. He secured the box, which he put into one of the bags that had held a costume, and then tied the long bundle to his back. When both bag and star-box were also made invisible, he addressed a fresh request to the coronet: Tell me how I may put Jagun and Critch into an enchanted sleep.

Simply see them so in your mind, and order it done.

Will-will the spell harm them?

They will eventually perish of thirst and hunger unless you release them betimes, or else modify the spell.

Can I order them to sleep only until sunup?

a.s.suredly.

Prince Tolivar closed his eyes and imagined the two Folk lying down and drifting peacefully into unconsciousness. Then he visualized them awakening at dawn, commanded the magic, and opened his eyes.

Are they asleep?

Yes.

Venting a sigh of relief, the boy went up the ladder and onto the deck. The aborigines were curled up, one on either side of the wicker hamper filled with colored eggs. Tolivar dragged little Jagun over beside Critch and covered both of them with a tarpaulin against the chill and the possibility of rain. He looked thoughtfully at the hamper, and then took from it a net bag of the missiles, which he fastened to his belt and made invisible.

"Talisman! Tell me where my mother is now."

The request is impertinent.

The Prince felt his heart plummet. "Is she concealed by the power of the evil Star?"

The question is impertinent.

But the Prince knew that it was so. Before, when Orogastus had wanted him to know of his mother's jeopardy, the Sight of her was clear enough. "Well, I know how to find her," Tolivar said to himself.

He looked up into the sky. A veil of high clouds had drawn ghostly haloes around the Three Moons, and a rising wind whined in the sailboat's rigging, making an eerie countermelody to the distant braying of the bra.s.s bands. He had no idea how many hours there were until midnight, when he would have to meet Orogastus.

Tolivar had yet a single question to ask of his talisman-one upon which his last faint hope hung.

"Will Orogastus be able to see me, even though I am invisible?"

Yes, for you still waver in your rejection of him.

The Prince had suspected as much.

Still invisible, he went down the gangplank and onto the quay, not bothering to look out at the ships in the harbor. One of them, a very large trireme lacking the festive lighting of the other vessels, seemed to be dragging its anchor in the pallid waters and slowly drifting closer to sh.o.r.e.