his gag at that point. I turned to Walter, “Why didn’t you put him to sleep?”
He held up his hands helplessly, “I never learned to do that.”
I took him aside and whispered the word quietly in his ear. “Just be careful how you use it,” I told him. “My friends wear necklaces to protect them from mental spells but if you don’t consciously direct that spell it will affect anyone nearby.”
“That spell would have been terribly handy in the temple of Doron just now,” he reflected.
I chuckled, “Yes I can’t believe you have managed this far in your career without it. It’s probably my most used spell. It seems like you have a few holes in your education, and I never had one to begin with. We should probably compare notes in the near future.”
Walter gave me an odd look, “I can’t believe you trust me like this. I’ve given you little cause to do so.”
I shrugged, “I don’t have much choice, besides none of this was really your fault. You just want your family back.”
“Do you really think they will be there?” he asked.
“I don’t know. If they aren’t I hope that they will only suspect me, at least then your family won’t face any repercussions,” I replied. “Either way, I’ll make sure he can give no more orders concerning them.”
“What do you mean?”
“Follow me, I need to explain this to everyone before we leave,” I said. I led him and the rest into the kitchen. Once they had gathered I spoke up to make sure everyone could hear me clearly. “In a moment Rose will take us outside the city to a quiet building. There I will construct a circle to bring Duke Lancaster and some of his men here to assist you. Then you will ride for the location of the Doronite’s hidden compound.”
Harold broke in then, “Won’t you be coming with us?”
“No,” I said immediately, “I will remain here to deal with the King tomorrow once you have rescued our friends.”
“The journey is a ten hour ride according to Father Jonas here,” said Marc, indicating their prisoner. “How will you know if we find them there or not?”
I brought out the boxes I had enchanted and demonstrated them again as I had for Rose. That won me several whistles of wonder and appreciation. Walter was plainly awed with them and Marc was very vocal in his praise. “You never fail to amaze, my friend,” Marc observed.
After a few minutes I had explained to them the basics of the plan and we prepared to exit the house under cover of Walter’s invisibility spell. Rose left instructions with Angela to keep lamps burning to give the impression we were still there. Then we left via the garden door and made our way quietly around the house to the street. From there we had a short walk through the streets to the main city gate.
When we reached the gate I had an unexpected surprise. I had forgotten that the portcullis was lowered, sealing the city at night. While I could probably get myself past them, finding a way to do the same for everyone in our party was a daunting task. Walter released the invisibility spell so that everyone could look around once he realized I was no longer leading us forward.
Rose saw the look on my face and laughed, “Don’t worry Mordecai; I’ve already planned for this.” She led us to the door that led into the main bailey that protected the gate. It was also the traditional home of the Hightower family, her father’s residence. Minutes later she had taken us past her father’s guards and down the corridors of the bailey.
Unlike the last time I had come with Penny, we didn’t ascend any of the stairs. Instead she took us on a circuitous route that led to a small protected doorway. “What’s this?” I asked her. My senses had already confirmed that it led outside the city walls but I had to ask anyway.
“A private door,” she answered mildly, “It leads outside the city.”
“Wouldn’t that compromise the defense of the town during a siege?” I asked.
She laughed, “Hardly. This door is outside the inner portcullis, which is closed, but inside the outer portcullis which is usually open. If this were time of war the outer portcullis would still be open and the gates would be shut. If an invader did penetrate the gates the outer portcullis would be dropped behind him and the murder holes above would ensure he did not live long to regret his mistake. This sally door was built to allow us to clear away the bodies, or to allow quiet egress at night.”
Her speech was matter of fact and I was reminded that she had been raised by the family most responsible for protecting the capital in time of war. I decided to stop asking questions and let her lead the way.
Soon enough she was leading us down the dirt lanes that were common in the ‘outer’ city. Though the city itself officially was bounded by the large stone walls, it was surrounded on most sides by more informal collection of buildings, houses and small businesses. After a short walk she led us to a large wooden building with several large doors big enough to drive a wagon through.
I had expected a warehouse or possibly even a barn but the multiplicity of large doors seemed odd. “What sort of place is this?” I asked.
“A carriage house,” she replied amicably. “One of my father’s friends operates a business lending carriages for short term use. Most of his customers are visiting nobility that don’t maintain a private residence in the city itself,” she explained. Reaching into a small purse she withdrew a large brass key and unlocked one of the doors.
Within, the large building was filled with carriages of every size and description, but some of the stalls where they would have parked were empty. Rose indicated one of them with her hand, “Will something like that be sufficient?”
“More than sufficient, thank you Rose,” I replied.
“What now?” asked Harold.
“Now you watch and wait for a while. You will know when I’m done,” I answered and hefting my staff I walked over to clear away the floor in the stall Rose had chosen for us. Using the staff like a much larger version of the silver stylus I began inscribing symbols on the smooth stone floor with a thin line of fire. The work took me three quarters of an hour before I finished and set the location keys for the circle to match those of a circle I had constructed earlier in Lancaster.
Glancing up I saw the others were silently watching me. “I’ll be right back,” I informed them and then with a word I vanished, reappearing in Lancaster. I had made arrangements with James on my previous trip and true to his word the Duke was waiting for me when I appeared.
“I had begun to doubt you would come,” he told me as I stepped away from the circle.
Clasping his arm at the elbow I clapped his shoulder with my other hand. “You should have known better than that,” I replied. Looking around I could see he had twenty men and as many mounts armed and ready to ride. Several men in the rear held the reins for their ten spare mounts.
“Are you sure this will be enough?” James asked me as the men began assembling on the circle for transport to Albamarl.
“If it isn’t then an army wouldn’t have been sufficient,” I said grimly. “If things go as planned even this is probably more than we need.” Reaching into my pouch I drew out the small wooden boxes I had enchanted and handed him one of them.
I spent the next several minutes demonstrating and explaining their function to him. Thankfully the Duke was quick witted and had little trouble adapting to new ideas. “Once we’ve secured the hostages I’ll send word immediately,” he reassured me.
“Just be sure to take care of yourself James, the future of Lothion will rest on your shoulders,” I replied seriously.
A pained look crossed his face. “I don’t like this plan of yours Mordecai. You do not have the power to force this and you cannot be sure of enough support. Without that it will mean war, and war of the worst sort, with brother fighting brother. I am tempted to refuse.”
I’d had enough of self-doubt and striving to appease those who had done nothing but attempt to manipulate me and my anger showed as I answered, “You have no choice James Lancaster. I have been pushed and prodded till my back is to the wall. They will accept this or I will make them regret ever choosing to cross me.”
James stared into my eyes as if seeking assurance but whether he found it I couldn’t tell. He nodded and looked away while I returned to transporting his men and horses back to Albamarl.
