'I certainly don't object to trying,' Morwen said.
Cimorene shook her head. 'I don't think it would work. The Society of Wizards has some new spell that soaks up magic. That's what makes the bare spots in the Enchanted Forest.'
'I still wish I understood why the Society of Wizards is doing all this,' Mendanbar said, half to himself. 'I suppose it makes sense to try and blame the dragons for burning bits of the Enchanted Forest, but they've been deliberately trying to start a war. That would make almost as much trouble for them as for everyone else.'
'Ah, well, but would it?' put in Prince Rupert timidly. 'I mean, if these wizards are soaking up magic, they must want it for something.'
Cimorene, Morwen, Mendanbar, and Telemain stared at one another in dismay. 'Yes, what are they using it for?' Cimorene said after a long, thoughtful silence.
'In all probability, to intensify their general enchantments,' Telemain said. 'Alternatively, to enable themselves to achieve something more substantial than would otherwise be possible.'
Prince Rupert looked at the magician blankly. 'Oh,' he said in a doubtful tone.
'Don't mind him,' Morwen said. 'He always gets technical when he's talking about spells.'
'But what did he mean?' the prince asked.
'He meant that the Society of Wizards wants more magic to power their spells,' Mendanbar replied. 'Or maybe to use in a spell that would be too big for them to work without it.'
'Yes, and that is an idea I don't care for at all,' said Morwen, frowning.
'The Society of Wizards is too powerful already, if you ask me.'
'You know, if the dragons start fighting with the Enchanted Forest, any new wasted areas would be blamed on the war,' Telemain commented.
'The Society of Wizards could absorb considerable quantities of magic before anyone realizes what they are up to.'
'That would explain why they're doing this, all right,' Mendanbar said. 'We have got to stop them.' Without thinking, he put his hand on the hilt of his sword.
'Mendanbar!' said Cimorene suddenly. 'Didn't that wizard say something about you reversing his spell? Not Antorell, the wizard at Jack's house.
And you were using the sword. Maybe it can reverse this spell, too.'
'It's worth trying,' Mendanbar said.
'Not until we have a better idea of exactly what we're up against,' Morwen said firmly. 'If the King of the Enchanted Forest gets killed trying to rescue the King of the Dragons from the Society of Wizards, goodness only knows what will happen.'
'We'll sneak in and take a look around,' Telemain agreed. 'Then we can formulate a plan of action.'
'As long as it doesn't take too long,' Cimorene muttered. 'This isn't some kind of experiment, where we can take our time and try again. If those wizards figure out that someone is trying to rescue Kazul . ..'
Mendanbar tried to smile reassuringly at her. 'I don't see how they-ah, Willin! Did you find that list? Good! Then let's all go into the parlor and look at it. The sooner we're done, the sooner we can be on our way.'
15
In Which Everyone Argues
Willin's list was remarkably clear and well organized. Once they found the section headed 'Caves and Caverns Near the Mountains of Morning,' it was only a matter of a few minutes before they discovered the listing for the Cave of Stone Icicles, the only cave at the western end of the Pass of the Dragons. As Mendanbar had predicted, there was a back way into it. A tunnel started from the bottom of the Crystal Falls and wound around under the hills and forest until it reached a crack at the rear of the cave.
'This doesn't look as if it will be hard at all,' Cimorene said.
'Let's go.'
'Right,' said Mendanbar. 'This shouldn't take long. I'll be back in an hour or so. Willin, take care of everyone while I'm gone-you know, refreshments and things.'
'Wait a minute? Cimorene said, her voice rising above startled objections from everyone else. 'You're not going without me.'
'But-' 'I am Kazul's Chief Cook and Librarian,' Cimorene said firmly.
'It's my job to help rescue her.'
'I suppose so,' Mendanbar said, 'but all I'm going to do is sneak in and look at the wizards, and then sneak out again.'
'That's all you think you're going to do, but what if something goes wrong?'
'Exactly,' Morwen said. 'You should have someone with you. Several someones, in fact.'
'I'm real good at sneaking,' Crown Prince Jorillam put in eagerly.
'And I want to see a dragon up close.'
'No, you don't,' Mendanbar said. 'Morwen, are you trying to tell me you want to come along as well?'
'No,' Morwen said, looking at him sternly over the tops of her glasses.
'I'm telling you I'm going to come whether you like it or not. Kazul is my friend, and besides, I want a crack at those wretched wizards.'
'We aren't going to do anything to the wizards until we know more about what we're up against,' Mendanbar said, feeling harried.
'Then how come you wanted those buckets of soapy water?' Crown Prince Jorillam demanded.
'Just in case,' Mendanbar said. 'This is only to find out what the wizards are doing and how many of them there are.'
'Which is precisely why I must accompany you,' Telemain put in.
'Not you, too!'
Telemain frowned at him. 'You don't seem to realize what a priceless opportunity this is,' the magician said. 'It is entirely possible that we shall be able to observe the Society of Wizards in the very act of casting their magic-absorbing spells. Since they are extremely secretive about their methods, this may be the only chance we have of studying their techniques.'
'It isn't worth the risk,' Mendanbar said.
'Not to you, perhaps,' Telemain told him. 'I, however, intend to take full advantage of these circumstances. One way or another, I am going to get a look at those wizards.' He leaned the wizard's staff against the wall and folded his arms stubbornly.
'Yeah, and then we melt them!' Crown Prince Jorillam said enthusiastically.
'You are not coming with us,' Mendanbar told him.
'But I'm real, real good at sneaking,' Jorillam said. 'Tell them, Uncle!'
'He is,' Prince Rupert said earnestly. 'And I'll keep an eye on him so he won't get in your way.'
Mendanbar stared at him. 'No, you won't. Because you aren't coming with me, either. I am going to sneak into the Cave of Stone Icicles by myself' 'No, you're not,' said everyone at once. Morwen's two cats glanced up, then went back to washing their tails. Mendanbar got the distinct impression that the only reason they hadn't joined in the general outcry was that they thought it was beneath them to argue.
'It is inappropriate for the King of the Enchanted Forest to embark on a mission to the King of the Dragons without a formal escort,' Willin added.
'You want me to take all these people along as a formal escort?'
Mendanbar said incredulously. 'Really, Willin-' 'Not at all,' the elf replied. 'They are all persons of distinction, and it would not be suitable for any of them to take a position as a formal escort to Your Majesty. Properly, only those of your subjects already in Your Majesty's employ may make up such a retinue. Due to Your Majesty's general dislike of formality, we have very few such persons available at present.'
'What are you suggesting?' Mendanbar asked with a sinking feeling.
'That I am the only possible person who can accompany Your Majesty in this capacity,' Willin said.
