Sada, he thought. Magick!
He opened his eyes. The crowing form of Sada stood before him, adorned by Clarysa’s flowing pink dress. No–not Clarysa. Clarysa had never been there. Sada’s icy green eyes stared back amid a face frozen with hatred. His sister had come seeking vengeance.
Stellan groped for words that would not–could not!–come. Only raspy growls managed to claw their way through his raw throat.
Sada withdrew one lone object and held it aloft before him–a mirror. For the first time, Stellan saw what he had become–a slobbering animal with thick dark fur and the snout of a wolf. A thing. A beast.
What have you done? Fear pumped through his heart, and then a deafening, mournful howl escaped him. Though his limbs still felt tender and unsure, Stellan maneuvered his bulky form into a standing position. Kill you, he thought, and made ready to plunge his newly formed fangs into Sada’s throat.
Seemingly from out of nowhere, a multitude of chains shot forth, effectively ensnaring him. They coiled about his arms and legs and bit into his fur-covered flesh. Several stout men faded in from ethereal mists and held him at bay. Stellan thrashed about, overturning furniture and slashing at them with ungainly paws. He had to escape. Now. Find Clarysa. If Sada had harmed her…
Fear for her safety fed him strength. A rage overtook him. In an instant, Sada’s minions lay crushed on the floor, drowning in pools of blood.
He turned to face his sister, but she was nowhere to be found.
Stellan let loose a howl of fury so loud and fierce it shook the castle’s foundation. He bolted from the room and tore through the corridors. Then he bounded toward the front gate and freedom, hunting for his beloved.
Chapter 27
King Leopold sat upon his golden throne a humbled man. It appeared the warlock his daughter had so ill advisedly brought into their midst was perhaps correct in some of his mad assertions. Strange attacks had been occurring all over his kingdom. Ordinary weapons were minimally effective against these noxious mutants. Only Prince Stellan’s mysterious potions successfully destroyed them. Leopold’s people were growing restless in their fear. His military commanders were advocating a preemptive attack against the sorcerers of the Wastes.
And now they inform me my daughter is missing.
Leopold rubbed his temple in an attempt to stop the aching. Although his crown grew heavier with each passing day, it was the mantle of fatherhood that stole most of his thoughts. Clarysa had been right here in the castle–under her father’s protection–and somehow she’d been abducted. Leopold knew he must find her. While tempted to initiate a search himself, the strategy would be unwise. Therefore, he had ordered Edward to report to him. But over two hours had since passed. Tardiness was atypical for his firstborn and could not bode well.
He waved a messenger over.
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“Ride to the Southern Marshes and look for–never mind.” Leopold discovered Edward striding toward him. The King dismissed the messenger.
Edward bowed. “My liege,” he stated officiously, “I must apologize for my inexcusable tardiness. I fear the mounting attacks have made it most difficult–”
Leopold shook his head. “You have new orders. Find Clarysa. Take as many men as you need.”
Edward nodded. “I’ll recover her. I’ll start with the castle of that warlock fiend.” The prince scowled. “If only I had broken the degenerate’s neck when I had him here before me!”
Leopold stayed him with a large, bejeweled hand. “Caution, Edward. We do not know if he’s involved. His words of warning rang sincere, and he’s been instrumental in stopping the Pestilence attacks. Besides, why kidnap someone who is your betrothed and longs to be with you?”
“I still say it’s a trick.”
“Do not be so rash. You will soon find that once you wear the crown, the world is a much more complicated place than you ever imagined.”
“But why else was she taken, then? Who else could possibly be responsible?”
Leopold shook his head. “The motives are political, that’s all we can be sure of.” He stood and placed his hand upon Edward’s shoulder. “Begin with Vandeborg if you must, but I fear you’re allowing hatred to blind you. You still have much to learn before you assume the crown of our forebears.”
Edward tore away from his father’s touch, a taut grimace besmirching his face. “And I tell you that this devil has bewitched Clarysa! He probably ordered one of his minions to do his dirty kidnapping work for him. In return, I intend to lay siege upon his castle and tear it down stone by stone if need be!”
“Come now, cousin! I should one day introduce you to the mightiest weapon I know–the fine art of confabulation.”
Leopold looked over at the entrance. Duke Lionel stood there, armed with nothing more than an arched brow and wry grin.
“That is, ‘conversation.’” Lionel quickly strode across the chamber and joined them. “If you had spoken more than two sentences to Stellan, you would know–as I am thoroughly convinced–he had nothing to do with Clarysa’s abduction.”
Edward turned his angry countenance onto his cousin. “Am I the only who has not fallen under the spell of his devilry? I shall order our forces to raze the entirety of his ‘magickal kingdom’ to the ground. Then we shall have time for talk!”
Lionel stepped up in defiance, right hand encircling the hilt of his sword. “But only if I allow it, which I will not!”
“Enough!” said the King.
Both men immediately snapped to attention.
“Edward, you and Lionel will lead a garrison to Vandeborg. If Prince Stellan is guilty of any crimes then he shall be punished as is my right as a King and father to mete out. Until then, your mission is to find Clarysa.”
“But, my lord!”
“That is my final word. Now go.”
Leopold watched as Edward and Lionel left the hall. He passed a hand across his face, praying for Clarysa’s safe return.
* * * *
Lionel, Edward and seventy of the finest soldiers in the
