Legends of the Dragonrealm, Vol. III

thoroughly searches. Let me . . .” He nodded to himself. “Yes, that does it. There are ancient traces of sorcery in this chamber, but they’re so old that we need not worry about them. Curious! Did you two know that an aura surrounds this edifice? A very strange aura.”

Both Bedlams knew of the aura of the Manor. It was, as the Gryphon had exclaimed, a very curious aura. Even Gwen, whose knowledge of such was far more complete than Cabe’s own, had never experienced anything like it. However, they had long ago come to realize that whatever surrounded the Manor meant them no harm and had left it at that.

“I don’t think Toma was in this room,” the lionbird continued. “He reached in with his power. The trace comes from beyond, somewhere in that direction.” He raised a taloned hand and pointed.

Following the Gryphon’s direction, the warlock went to the balcony and peered outside. His eyes narrowed as he found himself looking down at the stables.

A figure stepped out of the nearest building, the one most directly in the path the Gryphon had indicated. Ssarekai. The drake seemed intent on heading toward the Manor, but then paused. After a moment’s deliberation, Ssarekai turned his gaze upward. His eyes widened just a little as he met the stare of the sorcerer.

Cabe acknowledged him with a slight nod. Ssarekai dipped his head in what might have been an abortive bow and scurried on.

“Did you see anything?” Gwen called.

He turned back. “Just the stables. The stables and Ssarekai.”

The Gryphon, meanwhile, had moved on. “I sense Aurim and another with some talent for sorcery. Not Valea; she’s elsewhere. The drakes are everywhere.” All drakes had inherent magic, although it varied greatly from one to another. “But no other telltale marks of the renegade save the trace in the study, of which we are already aware.” He paused. “Yet . . .”

Both humans tensed.

“Nothing. I was wrong. Too hopeful, I suppose.”

In one respect, Cabe found himself disappointed. Yet, if the Gryphon discovered nothing else, that did mean that the Manor was clean of all but this one trace of Toma’s taint.

“There are some other odd sensations emanating from the Manor and the grounds, but they all seem to be a part of what makes this place what it is . . .”

A faint noise near the doorway caught the warlock’s attention. He turned quietly, so as not to disturb the lionbird’s work, and saw Benjin Traske. The massive scholar had one hand on the knife he always wore on his belt and the other on the arched doorway. He appeared startled at the presence of the Gryphon.

Cabe put a finger to his lips. Traske, recovered from his surprise, nodded once. He did not enter, but simply remained in the doorway.

“Some of your human servants have the natural potential for sorcery, did you know that? It’s been suppressed.”

“I shall have to look into that when we have more time,” Gwen replied.

“I can let you know which ones at some point in the future.” Slowly, the Gryphon turned. He did not stop turning until he had performed three-quarters of a circle. “I think . . . that’s all. I find no other vestiges of his work. They might have dissipated beyond the spell’s abilities, but at the very least that would mean you had nothing to fear from them. I can find no spells or traps anywhere.”

The mood in the chamber lightened. Cabe noted that even Benjin Traske, who could not have understood what was being done here, relaxed.

Without warning, the Gryphon opened his eyes. The spell dissipated with astonishing speed and simplicity. “As near as I can tell, the Manor is safe. I cannot promise that the spell was perfect in its execution . . .”

“I am quite satisfied, Gryphon.” A very relieved Gwendolyn moved to the lionbird’s side. She put her arms around him and leaned forward to kiss him in gratitude. Cabe noticed that the former monarch managed to transform his monstrous features into the more handsome, human ones before the enchantress’ lips touched his cheek. Even knowing that the sorceress loved him and that the lionbird loved his own mate, the warlock suffered a twinge of jealousy.

He extended his hand and gave the Gryphon his own thanks, adding, “It was fortunate that you arrived today. This will mean that we will be sleeping a lot easier again.”

“You’ve done much for me in the past, both of you.” The Gryphon, however, did look pleased. As he shook Cabe’s hand, he finally noticed the figure in the doorway. “Benjin!”

The huge figure performed one of his miraculous bows. “Lord Gryphon.”

“Will we be seeing you in Penacles when the heir comes? I would like to show you some improvements we’ve made with the school. I would like your opinion.”

“I cannot say, my lord.”

The lionbird’s feathers and fur ruffled in growing annoyance at those around him. “Must I keep repeating myself? I am no longer king of Penacles! I have no title!”

“Only in your own mind,” countered the Lady Bedlam. “You might have refused to take back the throne, but everyone, including Toos, agrees that what you did for the kingdom when you did rule there deserves respect. You are the special counsel to the regent, aren’t you? That in itself infers some sort of title. I know that Troia wouldn’t mind that.”

He sighed. “I give in. There are those who believe that I am unusually stubborn, but Toos would still have me resume the throne even after all the time since my return to Penacles. Now there is stubbornness!” The Gryphon waved away what to him was a most distasteful subject. “You are not traveling with your former pupil to Penacles, Benjin?”

“That is for my lord and lady to decide.”

The scholar gave no indication of his feelings one way or the other, but somehow his words made Cabe feel guilty for having left the man behind on the journey to visit Talak. Glancing at his wife, he saw that she, too, was having second thoughts.

“I think that something can be arranged, Scholar Traske,” the enchantress finally conceded. “We’ll talk later.”

“Yes, Lady Bedlam.” Benjin Traske’s somber demeanor gave way to growing curiosity. “Lady Bedlam, what, if I may ask-”

“We’ll talk about that later, too.”

“As you desire.” Bowing once more, the tutor departed.

“What was that you said about him coming with us to Penacles?” Cabe asked his wife. “I thought that he would be staying here just as he did when we journeyed to Talak.”

“First, we really had no right to make him stay here last time. You and I both know that. Traske could have traveled with you if he so desired, but he chose not to rather than argue with us. Arguing is not his way. Second, he really should have the opportunity to see his work in Penacles . . . and I have decided that I shall stay home for all but the most essential days of the visitation.”

The Gryphon did not take this news well. “Troia was hoping that you would come with the others. She does not feel as comfortable around the people of Penacles as she does around you, Gwendolyn.”

Considering his mate’s feline tendencies, Cabe did not find that at all surprising. The attention that she received as the former king’s bride did not help the matter any. Troia was not used to being such a center of attention, and now that she had a small child to rear, it bothered her even more.

The Lady Bedlam smiled, thinking of the cat-woman, but still said, “I promise that I will see her when I do arrive, Gryphon. I remained behind when Cabe traveled to Penacles because I wanted to help the children prepare for being masters of the house, but on that score I no longer have any worry. You know what still bothers me, though. I’m sorry, but even the thoroughness of your spell can’t completely shake the fear from me concerning Toma’s invasion. I need to be here, can you understand that?”

Cabe certainly did. Had he been given any choice, he, too, would have remained behind. One of them, however, had to go to Penacles. Had his wife been the one forced to make the journey, she would have spent most of the time fearing for their home, their children, and all those whose lives depended upon them. Cabe himself would certainly worry, but knowing that the enchantress was watching over everyone would ease much of his fear.

The Gryphon also understood her concerns. “Then I will pass on that message to Troia.”