Castle Perilous

meat and journey cake. They divvied it up and were now taking a meal break.

Melydia drew one infantryman aside. “Take them wherever you wish, as long as it is away from this place. Do not wander far, as you might lose your way. Kill them all.”

“Yes, my lady.”

She went to the Stone.

“Do you hear me?”

I hear.You have found it.

“I have found you as well.”

Indeed? I sense your closeness.

“Hear me. A while ago you underwent an unusual perturbation. Did you perceive it?”

Yes.

“Do you know what it was, or what caused it?”

It was …a loss.

“A loss? Of what?”

A long silence, then: Alas, I cannot say.

“Very well. It may not be important.”

I will soon be free.

“You will. And you will remember your liberator, heed her, and do her bidding.”

It is difficult to say. Only one has ever commanded me. His name is no longer in my memory.

“Ervoldt commanded you.”

A slight tremor vibrated the floor.

I remember! I recall the day. It was he who put me here, in this place that is not a place. It was he who enthralled me.

“Yes, and it is I who will set you free.”

Family Residence

There was nothing left to do but rest.

He lay abed and pondered what might have caused the spasm of a short while ago. The castle periodically underwent minor convulsions, but that one had been different. He had never experienced its like. Try as he might, he could not convince himself that Melydia had been responsible, although her spell-casting might commence at any moment.

He was loath to contact the voice, but decided it would have to be done.

“Attend me,” he spoke.

He was surprised when the voice did not respond within a reasonable time.

“Attend me,” he commanded.

I hear.

“You did not come when summoned.”

I was otherwise engaged.

“How can this be possible?”

Another speaks to me.

“Indeed? This is unusual.”

You are no longer the only one, son of Ervoldt.

He laughed. “I see you are being well tutored.”

I have forgotten many things. I must learn.

“Why?”

In order to regain my former existence.

“Yes, of course. Enough of this. I wish to know the nature of the paroxysm you experienced a short while ago.”

I do not know what it was. The other has also asked.

His eyebrows rose. “I see. And what did you tell her?”

What I told you.

He nodded.

Also …

He waited. “Yes?”

That it was a loss. I can characterize it better now. It was insignificant, but it was a loss nonetheless.

He sat up. “Can you tell me what was lost?”

A long pause. Then, Part of what constitutes me. I am no longer the sum of my parts. I am less.

“Indeed? This is news. Can you elaborate further?”

No.

“Do you know your name?”

A single bead of sweat formed on his forehead as he waited.

Finally, No. Still am I nameless, still am I in thrall. But the time will come when I will once more beat the air with my wings.

“Before that time comes, tell me this. Could the loss have been the result of a taking away of something?”

Yes! That was it. What I have lost was taken from me.

Breath slowly went out of him. “Good,” he said. “Perhaps. Perhaps not.”

He rose and left the room. In the next he turned to the right and exited through an arch, coming into a third room with a few tables and benches, a large fireplace at its farther end. He stopped and faced an area of wall demarcated by two stone pilasters.

He extended his arms and touched both index fingers together. Then he drew his arms apart.

The portion of wall described by the pilasters disappeared, revealing the interior of a charmingly furnished apartment. The two Guardsmen on the other side of the portal came to attention. They saluted as he walked through. He nodded.

“How goes it?” he asked one.

“All’s well, sire.”

“Is my family up and about yet?”

“It is still early morning here, sire.”

“Pity to wake them, but I must. I’m running out of time.”

“You will prevail, sire.”

He smiled. “I believe you.”

He moved through a large sitting room that opened onto a veranda and bright blue morning. Next were several utility rooms, and then a long hallway, at the end of which two more Guardsmen stood flanking an intricately carved wooden door. They saluted, then one man carefully opened the door for him. He stepped through, and the door closed quietly behind him.

He checked the children’s suite first. His son had thrown off the bed covers. He spread a blanket over the sleeping boy, then went into his daughter’s room. She lay on her back, sunlight making her small, oval face glow with radiant innocence. He touched his lips to her forehead, then smoothed her long dark hair. He moved to the window and adjusted the blind so that the light wouldn’t wake her.

He walked quietly into the master bedroom. His wife was sitting up in bed, smiling at him.

“I heard you.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, I was awake.” She held out her arms. “Come.”