‘After losingthe gateworld, and influence in the court, Darkmantle’s ambitionswere severely curbed for a while. Now it appears he has turned tosome Yith for help. He has also built up his forces with manycaptured Newmans. Nobody knows his plans for sure, however, somehave suggested he plans to recapture Snowbelle’s gateworld. Thiswould help him regain significant influence with the Queen.’
‘I am not sosure that his ambitions lie with only Argenta. If he could controlanother less well-guarded, gate world, our world Astaria, then hecould also gain a lot of power and influence, as it is the onlyoperational gateway to Mudrun. The question is which gateworld ifany is he after?’
‘Do youunderstand what I am saying?’ asked Llanlorian.
‘Yes, myliege,‘ said Aquitain. ‘It seems that I’m the white knight in afairy tale. I’ve got to go and rescue princess Miranda and fightthe brutish stepfather to make sure that he doesn’t steal eitherQueen Snowbelle’s castle or ours.’
‘Well I supposeyou could put it that way.’ said Llanlorian.
‘However,considering that you’re a little spiderling and not exactly a whiteknight I wouldn’t go looking for a fight but rather use stealth andcunning and try to get others to do the fighting for you. Alsosince Snowbelle is well setup to defend her castle, I think youshould concentrate on ensuring that you find out if they’re afterours, and if they are, we’ll have to try to find a way to stopthem.’
‘In short, findout what Lord Darkmantle’s up to, who his Yith friends are, andruin their plans if it involves us. Incidentally, you might have itin mind to rescue Miranda. You should carefully consider that hercapture might be a part of a plan by Snowbelle to find out whatDarkmantle’s planning. Rescuing her may actually upset Snowbelle’splan. On the other hand, she may really need rescuing.’
‘Great! Whenand where do I start, my Liege.’ asked Aquitain.
‘Well the Queenis giving a ball in two weeks’ time and Lord Darkmantle will bethere as he always attends them. Now Miranda has been caught by oneof his hunters, so unless he decides to take her to see the Queen,she’ll probably be well guarded in his dungeon. Perhaps she isbeing tortured at this very moment. I don’t know where Snowbelle isor what her plans are.’
‘There was atroop of Elendari soldiers escorting a Newman through the gatewayjust before I entered. Do you know what happened to them, myliege?’ asked Aquitain.
‘Hmm … as Irecall they waited for perhaps two hours outside the Moonmistentrance then left after some commotion.’ She replied. ‘Now you’llprobably want to get moving if you are to save Miranda.’
‘You seem tohave a lot of faith in me, my liege.’
‘I’ve got faiththat you want to save Miranda and since now you have a safe havento use as a base you will undoubtedly return. We both win.’ shesaid with a smile.
‘Here are somegoodies to help you. An earring of understanding it will allow youto communicate to most people on Moonmist. This second item is aring of invisibility and lastly an Astarian signet ring. Here is alist of several teleport marker locations. Memorize them anddestroy the list. I suggest you go to the Llanllean enclave at thetop of the list first. They are relatives of mine. Show them thesignet ring.’
‘Now go andsave Miranda and Astaria. Good luck my little spiderling.’
Aquitain sent amessage to Asterix. ‘I’m going to Moonmist for a while. Be sure toexercise the constructs. I’ll be back soon.’
‘Take care.’said Asterix. ‘I’d hate to spend another hundred Mudrun yearstalking to myself.’
‘Howextraordinary! I’ve just been made a citizen of a ghost town andgiven some magic items to help me on my way.’ thought Aquitain ashe turned invisible and teleported to Moonmist exit.
‘Guardian, canyou hear me?’ asked Aquitain.
There was asurge of warding magic and Aquitain heard the guardian’s voice.
‘It is not safeto talk to me aloud. Your father has accepted you as his son. Youare now marked as his son. Your father’s friends will know you andhelp but know that your father’s enemies will also know you and maytry to kill you.’
‘Is Llanloriantruly one of his friends?’
‘Perhaps.’replied the guardian cautiously. ‘We are involved in a game wheredeception runs very deep. Nobody is completely trustworthy.’
‘Well how do Iknow who are his friends and who are his enemies!’ replied Aquitaina little annoyed.’
‘Your father’senemies won’t try to kill you if they think that you might dosomething that will benefit them. You have been trained to please.So just do what you think is right.’
‘What do youmean I’ve been trained to please?’ asked Aquitain a little upset atthat statement.
‘Aquitain,you’re a smart fellow. I’ve known you all your life. Don’t be sostupid!’ said the guardian.
Aquitain wassurprised at this and finally chuckled.
‘Okay. Iconcede if you’ve known me all my life you probably know how I’mthinking now but I don’t have to like it.’
‘I’m sorryguardian. I guess you’re right when I think about it. I am trainedto please. I suspect you had a lot to do with it. I will tell younow that I’m not happy that I’ve been manipulated by you andprobably others but for the moment I have no choice other than toaccept it.’
‘Now that iswhat I was hoping that you would say!’ said the guardian with achuckle. ‘Now go and find Miranda. I like her too you know.’
Chapter 18 Quab’sRevelation
Featherdown and Quabteleported back to the High Wizard’s tower with the manacledpriest. They went straight to a room in the basement of the towerand Featherdown cast a polymorph effect on the priest who turnedinto a large mushroom.
Quab chuckled.‘That should keep him out of the way for a while. Do you want me toget some mouldy hay for him to digest while he waits?’
‘No. He’ll beall right. He’ll stay out of mischief this way until we’re ready tointerrogate him. I’d like the High Druid or a councilrepresentative here when we do. Can you make the arrangements?’
‘Sure.’ repliedQuab highly amused.
They returnedto the entertaining area for a hot drink and discussion to discoverthat there was a message for Quab. He had a visitor in hissanctuary.
‘Were youexpecting anyone?’ asked Featherdown.
‘No.’ repliedQuab. ‘The High Druid perhaps?
