"That"d be the stew."
Cabe"s stomach rumbled again. "That"s fine. Stew and cider."
She vanished in a swirl of skirts, leaving Cabe to recover. He loved Gwen, but a man had to be blind not to notice some women, just as he was certain it worked the other way.
There were a number of other travelers in the place, not to mention three good-sized parties of native Zuuans or Zuuites or whatever they called themselves. A few scattered individuals here and there verified that Cabe would not stick out. He picked out the loudest conversation, that of a trio of horse merchants, and started to listen.
His meal and drink came a couple of minutes later, by which time he was more than ready to abandon his first attempt. The serving girl dropped a heaping bowl of delicious-smelling stew in front of him along with a chunk of brown bread. As she reached over and put down the mug of cider, she hesitated long enough for him to admire the view if he desired. Cabe, who was familiar with the ways of some taverns and inns, gave her a noncommittal thank you and enough coins to satisfy both the bill and her. Once she had disappeared back into the crowd, he started in on the stew while at the same time choosing his next target.
The stew was superb, which made concentrating a bit harder at first, but he soon picked up on one of the other conversations. This one, between a pair of the locals, at first sounded like yet another talk about horseflesh, but then switched.
The first man, a thin elder, was muttering, ". . . dwarfs keep insisting. Even said they saw the place glow once."
"Ain"t nothing happens in that G.o.dforsaken place. I don"t even think there"s no Dragon King there. Never hear anythin"." His companion, about half his age and with as thick a beard as any the warlock had ever seen, picked up his mug and drank long from it.
"So? We ever hear anything from our drake? You see a few in the city near the king"s place, but old Green never shows up or demands anything. Could be the same with this one."
The younger man put down the mug. "But still . . ."
Their conversation shifted again, talking about Dragon Kings and kings in general. Cabe held back a grimace. The glow and the dwarfs interested him, but he could hardly walk over to the men and ask them. He wished that he could be like Shade had been. The master warlock had not only been able to hide his presence in a full inn, but he would blatantly summon people, ask them questions, and send them away without them recalling or anyone else taking the slightest notice. Cabe could have done the same, but he felt wrong about doing so.
He focused on two other discussions, found nothing, then discovered that even with his concentration, he could not make out any of the others clearly enough. The stew lost some of its flavor as he realized that he would have to resort to sorcery and modify his hearing. Again, it was a simple spell, but he still did not care for any transformation, however minor.
It took him but a moment to do it. Now, he was not only able to hear conversations on the far side of the room, but he could pick them out of all the others and hear those speaking as if no one else were making a sound.
Much to his regret, however, it turned out that no one had anything concrete to add to what he knew. Cabe had expected it, but had hoped for more. He would have to search elsewhere. Rising, he left the nearly empty bowl and mostly untouched cider and departed before the serving girl returned.
There was no dearth of inns in this quarter. Not all of them were up to the standards of Belfour"s Champion, but all of them were surprisingly neat. Compared to the worst, Wyvern"s Head had been a stable.
No, not a stable, Cabe thought as he entered the next one. You can literally eat off the floor in these stables.
At the next two places, the warlock picked up a smattering of information. An intruder killed in the west, his ident.i.ty unknown. He had been carrying a pouchful of foreign gold and a few valuable gemstones. Two guards had died in taking him . . . and the patrol had originally only wanted to ask him the same simple questions they asked every visitor. Another body found, this one stripped of all his possessions. Oddly, the two did not seem directly connected.
There was mention of the glow again, a brief brightness that had lit up part of the western sky the very night that Cabe had had the second vision. Only a few had actually seen it; most of those he listened to knew of it only secondhand. Evidently Zuu did actually keep a few hours aside for rest.
After the fifth inn, Cabe came to the conclusion that he had heard all he would hear this evening. While he had not garnered much more than he had begun with, he was not unsatisfied. Slightly fatigued, the warlock started back to the stable where Darkhorse was no doubt impatiently waiting for him. The eternal would probably be disappointed in his findings, but that did not matter.
He was just pa.s.sing Belfour"s Champion when he sensed something amiss, although what it was he could not say.
"Well, it"s our visitor who eats and runs without saying farewell to a girl."
It was the serving woman from the inn. In the flickering light of the torches, she almost reminded him of a drake woman, so magical did her beauty seem. She had a shawl over her shoulders that could not have served to keep her warm and certainly had not been chosen to protect her modesty.
"Is that a custom I missed?"
The woman, who appeared to have been walking quietly along the avenue, smiled and shook her head. "Only an opportunity." Slowly she pulled away the shawl. "But there are always other opportunities, other chances, for the right man."
He stood his ground even though a part of him urged swift retreat. Before Gwen, he had never been better than inept with women. Cabe was still not certain how he had been so fortunate as to marry her. "I"m flattered, but I"ll have to decline."
She hesitated for a brief moment, almost as if she was confused by his response. Then she advanced toward him again, growing somehow even more desirable than she had before.
Again, Cabe sensed that something was amiss. He blinked, then stared carefully at the girl. She mistook his expression for a positive response to her advances and reached out to him. The warlock took her proffered hand . . . then reached out with his power and froze her where she was. He allowed her only to speak.
"Let me go! What are you doing?"
"There are certain things an enchantress should be careful about doing and one of those is picking the wrong victim to use your spells on." Cabe led her by the hand to the side of the stable, where they would not so readily be seen. The would be seductress followed, walking in jerky movements. He now controlled her actions; she could do nothing but breathe, see, and hear. Even her ability to talk hinged on Cabe"s desire. He disliked having to do this, but he could not take chances with so wild a sorceress. There was no telling what other tricks she might know.
When they were safely ensconced, he whispered, "You will speak softly. I won"t hurt you if you don"t try anything and if you answer me honestly. Understand?"
"Yes."
"Good." Even with her spell of seduction removed, it was difficult for him to stand so close to her. If he backed away, however, he knew she would notice. That would throw some of the advantage back to her, which was not what he wanted. "Who are you? Why did you seek me out?" He studied her hair. His eyes had not been augmented for the dark, but up close, he should still have been able to see it.
"You may call me Tori, warlock, and what I wanted-and still want-is simply you." Her smile was dazzling. Understanding his confusion, she added, "The streak is on the left, buried beneath another layer of hair. All it takes is some artful combing."
That would not serve her forever, the warlock knew. Soon, the mark would make itself so evident that nothing short of false hair or a hood like his would be sufficient. However, that was not so important now as what she was doing here. "Why? Why do you want me?"
"Are you serious? What sort of life have-"
He waved her to silence. "You know that"s not what I meant. There were certainly better choices in there than me."
She c.o.c.ked her head to one side. Cabe had not realized that he had allowed her more mobility. That was a bad sign; it meant that she was either stronger than he had supposed or her influence on him was. Either way, it spelled trouble. "True, there were men who were prettier, master warlock, but pretty is not all I want. I want someone who thinks as well, someone with ambition and ability . . ."
He understood now. "And someone with skill in the art of sorcery."
"Yes. Very much so. Not just for the sake of that power, though that certainly sweetens things, but because I want someone who understands what it"s like to be so . . . superior and different. I want someone of the same world as I. When I saw you, I sensed somehow that you were like me, that you were the one I was searching for. All my patience and sweat have been for something after all. I was beginning to believe that I would be working in taverns for the rest of my life, searching for someone else like me. Someone like you."
Although it seemed that each week brought rumors of new mages, they were still few and far apart. Cabe understood Tori. Here she was, with skills she had not been tutored in the proper use of, trapped in a place where there was no one else like her. Or was there?
"There must be at least one other spellcaster here, Tori. These markers are magical."
"There are a few, master warlock, but they are hardly the company I would keep. Besides, they work solely for Zuu and I will have my own life. You would be wise to watch that marker. It lets them know if a mage is in the city. That"s how the king recruits."
"Recruits?" All thought of Tori"s attempted seduction faded.
"King Lanith wants magic users. He hasn"t decided what he wants to do with them, but he wants them." She put a cool hand to his chin. "You know, there may have been some prettier ones, but I like the character and strength in your face more. You could teach me how to use sorcery properly and I could-"
"That"ll be enough of that. There"s a certain enchantress, the mother of my children, who might take offense. She and I are very protective of each other. If you want training, then something can be arranged."
"With you?" With the swiftness of a feline pouncing on her prey, she was against him. Cabe started to push her away, but then both of them stopped and turned their attention to a sound coming from beyond the street. Tori glanced up into his face. "You had best be leaving, my love. I carry a false marker, so I"m safe, but you must have been using much magic tonight. Those little toys aren"t usually so efficient."
"What is it? What"s coming?"
"Lanith"s hired mages and the city guard." Even under the circ.u.mstances, she took the time to run a finger slowly over his chest. "They are not much to look at and separately they"re inept, but the three of them together with the guards could give you trouble . . . and I wouldn"t want that. We will meet again some day, my warlock."
She leaned up, gave him a swift but powerful kiss, and vanished before he could ask her his next question. Tori had the potential to be a very adept mage, it seemed, if her skills were honed so well already.
Disconcerted, Cabe stood there for several seconds. He had come to Zuu for information, not in order to be involved in some enchantress"s wild notions or another king"s murky ambitions. Legar was beginning to look more and more inviting with each pa.s.sing moment.
There was a clatter in the street, a clatter with a very definite military sound to it. Cabe felt the presence of other mages. Unlike Tori, they made no attempt to mask themselves. He sensed them draw upon the natural forces of the world, but draw upon them in such haphazard manner that it was a wonder they did not accidentally unleash some wild spell on themselves.
"He"s around, he is," came a gruff female voice.
"Well, it"s your task to find him, mage. Do so."
"Do not proceed to tell us our duties." This voice, male, was more cultured than that of either of the previous two.
The warlock pressed himself against the wall, a frown on his lips. His best choice was to teleport to Darkhorse and for the two of them to leave instantly.
Thought was action. Cabe materialized a few stalls down from where he had left Darkhorse. The warlock purposely chose a spot near the stable wall, the better to avoid being seen by some boy or groom. Other than the horses, though, he saw no one. Cautiously he stepped away from the wall and started toward the shadowy steed.
"Dark-" The warlock bit off the rest of the name as he found himself staring at a tall figure clad in a long, flowing robe of white. The man stood like one of the storybook wizards Cabe had grown up hearing about, the ones that only existed in tales. He even had the long white beard.
The man stared at him. After a breath or two had pa.s.sed, Cabe came to the realization that the man was not staring at him, but rather at the spot where he stood. He did not see the warlock at all. Becoming daring, the bemused warlock waved a hand in front of his counterpart"s countenance. The bearded mage might have been a statue for all he noticed.
"He came barging in all important," mocked a voice from behind the still figure. The gate to Darkhorse"s stall opened of its own accord and the demon steed trotted out. "I think he must have been looking for you but sensed me instead. Then, just as he had decided to give up, you came along. His powers are not that great, not by far, but he is very sensitive to the presence of magic. I did the only thing I could do under the circ.u.mstances. Who was the hungry female?"
The question caught Cabe off-balance for a second, but he quickly replied, "Another spellcaster."
"They seem to be breeding like mice these days. There are two others nearby."
"I know; that"s why I"m here. We have to leave."
"We would not think of letting you leave without first hearing the offer our most benevolent lord has commanded us to present to you."
It was the male spellcaster Cabe had heard moments earlier. In contrast to his companion, he was clad like a minister of state from one of the northern kingdoms, like Erini"s own Gordag-Ai. In one hand, he carried a cane whose top was two silver-and-crystal horse heads. The mage himself was tall and narrow of face with a long mustache and thin, oiled hair. Beady eyes glanced at the petrified figure behind Cabe. The thin mouth curled up into a slight smile.
"I"m sorry, but I"m not interested." The warlock was feeling too popular of late. Unknown forces were summoning him to Legar, enchantresses were seeking him for . . . for many things . . . and now kings wanted his services. He only wanted to go home and spend the next couple of hundred years with his family and friends.
"You have not heard the offer yet." The other spellcaster tapped the end of his two-headed cane on the stable floor. "And you shall not leave until you do."
Cabe could feel a sudden change, as if a blanket had been thrown over the stable. There was a dull ache in his head. His counterpart was trying to cut him off from any use of power. While that likely worked against an untrained or novice sorcerer, Cabe Bedlam was neither. With a simple, forceful thought, he cut through the magical barrier and restored to full intensity his link to the Dragonrealm.
The other mage"s cane promptly exploded.
"What? What?" The white-robed figure was mobile again. He glanced this way and that, trying desperately to figure out what was going on. Distracted by the surprising explosion, Darkhorse had lost control of the spell holding him in place.
Blinded briefly by the burst of sorcerous energy unleashed, Cabe could only now see what had happened to the elegant mage. The dull ache in his head had now become a raging headache, likely a backlash from the chaos of the cane"s destruction. The blast had thrown the other spellcaster back into one of the stable doors, where he lay unconscious. He wondered what sort of idiotic matrix the man had incorporated into the staff that would make it backfire like that when the spell was disrupted. Having never faced someone of true power, the other must have been unaware of the dangers. The cane was an interesting device, but when one chose to tie an item to a particular spell in order to save one"s concentration and strength for other things, one should make certain that the matrix, which stored or drew the power depending on the spell, was fortified in all dimensions. Obviously, there had been a weak link somewhere. Cabe was furious; it was not his intention to harm anyone. He did not wish to do anything that might strain relations between Zuu and himself. So far, no one knew who he was, but that might not be the case in the future. If King Lanith discovered it was Cabe Bedlam who had caused the chaos, there would likely be repercussions.
"What have you done? Hold there, young man!" The white-robed spellcaster reached for Cabe.
"Oh, do be still!" bellowed Darkhorse. Once more the figure froze. "Are we leaving now? This grows most tiresome!"
"Yes, we are! I-" His head still pounded. "I"d better ride you and let you teleport! That way we"re guaranteed to be together! My head-"
"Feels much the way I do! My entire body feels twisted inside out! I should give that mage a sound kicking! Next time, I will! Where to? Legar?"
"No, not yet! Somewhere near what used to be the edge of the Barren Lands, where the Brown Dragon once ruled! I need time to clear my head!" Cabe scrambled aboard the darksome steed and clutched at the reins. Before now, they had been merely for show since Darkhorse obviously did not need to be led. Now, though, they were the warlock"s lifeline. He swayed in the saddle as the pounding continued. His entire body felt sluggish. If this was what came of leaving new spellcasters to train themselves, then it was important that they start the new schools as soon as possible. Sorcerers left unchecked might someday gain the potential to ruin the world. It was a wonder it had never happened before.
He looked around. They were still in the stable and the sounds of soldiers outside warned that time was rapidly melting away. Cabe did not want to cause an incident. No one had recognized him so far, but he could not take the chance. "What"s wrong? Why are we still here?"
"That infernal explosion has addled me! I cannot summon the concentration to depart! Me! Darkhorse! I should kick that prestidigitating popinjay all the way back to his master!"
The warlock put a hand to his head. It did not stop the pain, but it eased the pressure a little bit. "We"ll have to ride through the city! Can you do that?"
"They shall have but a trail of dust to mark our time here!"
Mark? That made Cabe think of something else. He did not want anyone following them. Reaching for the U-shaped talisman, he took the item and threw it as far from him as possible. Did the Green Dragon know what was going on in his own kingdom? He was certain the draconian ruler would find all of this interesting. All Cabe had to do was find the time to tell him.
"I"m ready, then!" He heard pounding on the stable doors. Where the stableboy was, he did not know, but he thanked the stars that no one was there to immediately open the way for the guards. "We"ll have to ride through the doors when they open!"
"Why wait?" Darkhorse laughed, reared, and went charging toward the thick wooden barriers.
The anxious warlock bent down low and prayed he had concentration enough to shield himself when the doors shattered.
As luck would have it or not, depending on the point of view, the guards managed to open the doors then. They were greeted by the sight of a huge stallion with gleaming blue eyes like the chill of winter coming at them at a speed that allowed no hesitation in choice. Most of the guards made the correct choice and dove to the side. A couple stood their ground, not experienced enough to understand why the veterans were scattering. After all, it was only a horse.
Darkhorse charged through the first one, then leapt over the head of the other.
The demon steed roared with laughter as he raced away from the stables. Cabe, still clutching tight, was thankful that none of the men could see that it was the mount and not the rider who was mocking them. Darkhorse was known well enough throughout the Dragonrealm, even if half of those who knew of him thought him legend. If word reached King Lanith that the shadow steed had been in Zuu and that a warlock of considerable skill had been seen with him, it would be reasonable for the monarch to a.s.sume that it was the warlock most known for his friendship with Darkhorse. What Lanith would or would not do was a question that Cabe did not want to have to consider.
Through the streets of Zuu the two raced. A few people here and there scattered as the great black beast fairly flew past them. One man actually stood his ground and raised a hand in encouragement as they went by. The last thing they heard from him was, "Aaryn"s Spur! I"ll give a hundred gold for the next colt he sires! What do you . . ."
They were just out of earshot when Darkhorse turned down a side avenue. Cabe looked up, noticing that they were now heading away from the gates of the city. "Where"re you going? This is the quickest way out!"
"But not the best!" The eternal"s voice was a subdued roar. It was still doubtful that in the dark anyone could tell that it was him talking. "Look before you!"
He did . . . and saw only the wall circling Zuu before them. There was no gate, only solid stone. "Are you-"
"Since I cannot teleport . . . yes!"
These streets were deserted, the only good thing to happen to them this night as far as the warlock was concerned. Cabe tried to concentrate again, but the headache only grew worse and his body tingled so much that he had to squirm despite his precarious balance. He would have to trust Darkhorse. Darkhorse had not and would not fail him. He would not.
The black stallion leapt into the air and over the wall. The harried mage took one look down at the shrinking world and decided that closing his eyes might be best after all.
They began to plummet earthward.
THE PANDEMONIUM AT the stable had drawn both natives and visitors and even several minutes after the escape by the unknown rider, many of the spectators were still milling around trying to piece together the story.
The mages, looking disgruntled, perplexed, and dismayed, quickly departed the scene, none of them uttering so much as a single word. Some of the guards, however, were more vocal, the common folk of Zuu liking to tell or hear a good story whenever possible. Soon, a very distorted version of what had happened spread among the populace. There had been a score of riders. A band of spellcasters had been using the stable for their rituals. The king"s mages had been practicing, but something had gone wrong and they had summoned a demon out of the ether.
None of the stories was correct, but a careful listener who wandered about could piece together much from what was said, almost enough to re-create the true event.
To a spy clad in the stolen clothing of a murdered merchant, such a thing was child"s play.