Jenna stepped back, eyeing him. Her expression was not one the young mage expected. The merchant"s daughter looked slightly confused.
"Is something wrong?" he managed to ask once his voice returned.
"You are stronger than I thought." Jenna glanced at the river. "You"d better change that back."
"All right." It was easier to disperse the spell. The process took only the blink of an eye.
"I"ve outdone myself," his companion whispered. "What do you mean?"
In response, the attractive young woman seized him again. The kiss that followed made the previous one seem short and indifferent. Again a tingle coursed through Aurim. However, unlike during the last kiss, it did not go away. Instead, it spread, growing stronger at the same time. The world receded. Aurim almost felt as if he were watching himself from outside his body.
Stepping back, Jenna nodded triumphantly. "That"s better."
Aurim tried to say something, but found that he could not. It was not that he was still overwhelmed by her pa.s.sionate kiss, simply that he could not move. He tried to raise an arm, but nothing happened. The only thing the sorcerer could do was breathe and blink and he suspected that he was doing so only by permission.
Jenna had to notice his predicament, but instead of helping, she seemed very proud of herself. She also looked a little different. Slightly older, more lush of form, and with a different cast to her features, a cast more akin to those of the southwestern continent, not the northerly climes from which she hailed.
"Raise your arm," she commanded.
To his surprise, he did. Aurim tried to lower it, but his limb resisted.
"Lower it now."
He obeyed. He had to. What"s happening, Jenna? Aurim wanted to ask. What did you do to me?
Perhaps his companion saw the question in his eyes, for she then said, "You"re completely mine now, Aurim. Isn"t that what you wanted?" She laughed, a harsh, pitiless laugh. "Of course you did. You had no choice. You were stronger-willed than I would"ve imagined, but I like a challenge. The others were simple in comparison, even if none of them were quite as naive."
Others? She had done this to others? Something registered in his mind. Talk concerning students who had vanished from the school of sorcery his parents had developed in conjunction with the kings of both Penacles and Talak. At least two students, possibly three. Were they the ones that Jenna spoke of?
Jenna continued to change both in form and clothing. Her hair tumbled down to her waist and her features were transformed into something not quite human, as if somewhere in her lineage was included elfin blood. Her curves were more arresting, the kind that Aurim had only dreamed of ever seeing. She clearly knew that he could not help looking over her new shape, for she briefly posed, giving him ample view of her ample charms.
"He"s talked about a new step in his plans, you know," Jenna whispered, pressing her body against his again. "Breeding the strongest of his Order to one another to give him a new generation of even more powerful sorcerers." The enchantress leaned forward and kissed him soundly. Had he been able to, Aurim would have pulled himself away in disgust. As stunning as this woman was, her manner, her att.i.tude, revolted him. "I think I like his plan better now, dear, lovely Aurim. You look much more delicious than that perfumed jackal Ponteroy."
The clatter of hooves caught the attention of both although only Jenna, of course, could turn to see who was coming. Aurim"s hopes rose. Perhaps the Gryphon had noticed him depart. Maybe his father had even returned.
"They"re a little early. I was hoping we could have had a little fun before they arrived." Jenna patted his cheek. "I know you"re disappointed, darling. If I"d had my way, we"d have had a bit more time to better get to know one another. Don"t worry, though, there"ll be plenty of time in Zuu."
Zuu! For the first time the depth of his dilemma struck him. Not only was he a prisoner, but they were going to take him to the land of the hors.e.m.e.n. There was no telling what they planned to do with him once they had him there, although Jenna"s words hinted at least of one intention.
The clatter grew louder, then abruptly ceased. A faint wave of dust drifted past Aurim and his captor. The sorcerer wanted so badly to sneeze.
"You"re early, Captain."
"Not by my reckoning, Saress. I"m right on time."
Saress. Aurim stared at the sinister temptress. Everything about the woman he had been infatuated with had been a lie even down to her name.
"Did you think I might get carried away? Was that it?" she teased. "Come, Captain, you know Lanith has both my love and loyalty, which is why you should be more careful what you say."
"It isn"t that," the unseen officer suddenly protested, not nearly so arrogant now. Saress obviously had much influence with his master. "I just know how you like to be thorough. Sometimes that demands too much of . . . your quarry."
Saress winked at the captive spellcaster. "I don"t think that there"s much beyond this one, although we"ll have to experiment further another time. Is our route planned?"
"Yes, we can skirt just south of the Dagora Forest. It"s the most direct route."
"South of the Dagora Forest. Are you suggesting we ride through the Barren Lands?" The enchantress did not seem at all pleased.
Aurim heard the horse move forward. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught partial sight of a brown stallion and its rider, a tall figure clad in a simple brown outfit with a riding cloak. Strands of blond hair dangled from the rider"s hood, but his features were otherwise obscured. "It seems the best way. The place is no longer desolate. Why should we avoid such an unpopulated stretch when it gives us the straightest route home?"
"Why, indeed?" Saress was still not pleased. Suddenly her gaze shifted to Aurim. "Then again, why take so long to get back to Zuu? Why not make use of new options . . . or at least test them out?"
"What"re you talking about, sorceress?"
"He"s strong, Captain. He"s everything we thought he was and more. He parted the river to impress me, the dear boy."
For a moment the soldier was silent. Then, "He did that?"
"And I, for one, think he"s capable of so very much more." The enchantress stared Aurim in the eyes. "Aren"t you, Aurim? All you needed was a boost of confidence and I gave that to you with a few subtle spells and more than a few loving looks." She laughed lightly. "Yes, I think you can do it."
Aurim knew what she wanted of him, and knew that now he could probably give it to her. He did have the concentration and confidence, both of which had been built up by a serpent in human form. Yet if he was so powerful, how could he have been so easily snared? Why could he not escape?
It"s not always a matter of power, his father had once said. It"s also a matter of using your power in the most effective manner.
Saress was not as strong as he; he knew that. However, she had a far better grasp of her abilities than he did and she had used them to her best advantage.
"Gather the men, Captain. Our dear new companion is going to take us back to Zuu in the best dramatic fashion. Lanith will love it!"
"You"re not serious! I"m not going to-"
"I"ve had enough argument." Saress waved her hand in the direction of the soldier, who stiffened in the saddle. "You"ll get your voice back after I"ve proved my point." To Aurim, she added, "You will listen to everything I say, won"t you, darling?"
To his surprise, he answered her. "I will."
"That"s a good boy. This is what I want of you. You"ll take everyone here-the two of us, my friend the captain, and his three playmates and all the horses-all the way to the royal grounds of Zuu."
Again Aurim spoke against his will. "I"ve never been to Zuu. I don"t know the kingdom."
She took him by the arm. "Don"t you worry, Aurim. I will give you a destination."
Reaching up with her free hand, she touched his temple. Instantly, the image of an open courtyard materialized in his thoughts. A huge stable covered one side of the yard and the tall walls of what had to be the king"s palace or castle made up much of the remaining view. In the walls were carved the images of men on horseback. A banner fluttering from the top of the stable bore the head of a charger.
"Is that good enough?" Saress asked him.
"Yes." It was. He wanted to deny it, but could not. "Then take us there now, my darling Aurim."
Unable to resist, Aurim concentrated. He was finally the sorcerer he had dreamed of becoming . . . and now his dream had become his nightmare.
Chapter Six.
It was more than three hours before Cabe stirred, three hours in which Darkhorse could do nothing but think and glare at the magical gra.s.s.
"Darkhorse?" Cabe"s voice was weak, but in this quiet place carried well.
"Cabe! By the Void! I had begun to fear that you would never wake!"
"Dark-where are we?"
"In what was once termed the Barren Lands!"
"The Barren Lands?" The mage stared, taking in the trees, the birds, and, most of all, the endless sea of gra.s.s. He nodded. "Yes, I can feel it. These were the Barren Lands once. I"ve been here a couple of times since it changed; I"d recognize the sensations I feel anywhere."
The shadow steed felt nothing, but did not question his companion. He was simply overjoyed that Cabe was awake and well. At least, he hoped Cabe was well. "Are you all right, then?"
The human touched his side. "I think so." He shut his eyes for several seconds, concentrating. "Yes. Yes, I am. Thank you."
"I . . . I did not mend you, Cabe."
"No? Then who did?"
"It was . . . a female. A sorceress. In Zuu you once knew her as Tori."
"Tori?" Cabe"s expression went from complete befuddlement to dawning recognition. "Tori. She was here? She mended my injuries? I don"t remember anything other than escaping that trap."
"And that was done with her aid, too, Cabe. She a.s.saulted it from the outside. Then, after you caused the earth to rise up and hinder some of our pursuers-"
"I did that?" The sorcerer shook his head. "I don"t even recall doing that. I think I may remember holding on to you for dear life."
"She called to us. Told us to ride in a certain direction. I did. A blink hole materialized directly before us, leaving me little chance to avoid it. When we finally exited, though, it was to arrive here . . . several hours later."
"Several . . ." Cabe looked up at the sun. "I didn"t even pay attention to the fact that it"s setting! Gwen! She"ll be worried! Did you contact her?"
Darkhorse could scarcely look at his friend. "I feared to do so. There was good reason-"
"I think I understand. You can explain everything else later, then. We have to get back to Penacles." As Cabe started to rise, he seemed to lose his footing. The sorcerer immediately sat back down. "Maybe I"d better do this a little slower. Looks like I needed the rest after all. Thank you for watching over me, Darkhorse."
"I am sorry I could do no more. Tori said it was wise to let you rest and I agreed."
The spellcaster rose again, this time with more care. "We"ll have to talk about her and everything else after we rea.s.sure Gwen and the others." He blinked. "I didn"t even think to ask you how you were doing. That spell trap seemed designed for you."
"It was. As you said, though, that is something else we can speak of after we a.s.suage the fears of your wife, Cabe. As for me . . ." The eternal rose up on his hind legs. The gra.s.s spread away from him as far as it could. Darkhorse laughed as he dropped down on all fours again. "I am Darkhorse! How could I be anything but perfect?"
Cabe did not question his answer although it was clear that he did not entirely believe him. Darkhorse was still a bit weak, but not nearly so much as before. He had recovered enough that racing across the Dragonrealm would be a fairly simple task. They could be in Penacles just before sunset. Still soon enough as far as he was concerned.
The sorcerer mounted, groaning slightly in the process. "Maybe it would be best if we just rode back, Darkhorse. I don"t think that I could stomach another sudden shift in location just yet. Is that all right with you?"
"Did the female miss some injury? Are you ill?"
"No, nothing like that." Cabe positioned himself for the ride. "It seemed to me that it would just be a good idea."
"As you wish."
"It really is a beautiful, peaceful land now," commented the human. "I"m surprised it"s still empty. I"d think anyone would love to settle in a place like this."
Darkhorse held off comment. The sooner he was away from this land, the better. The gra.s.s still seemed too interested in the pair, constantly touching both of them whenever possible.
The gra.s.s, though, was hardly a threat compared to what they had already faced . . . and would face soon enough again. Lanith was indeed a danger to the fragile peace of the Dragonrealm if he had such power to control. Even Darkhorse was willing to admit that anyone who could set such a snare was a foe with which to be reckoned.
An intelligent force . . .
There was indeed much that they had to discuss after their return to Penacles.
Lady Gwendolyn Bedlam stood at the entrance to the Gryphon"s palace, either relieved to see them or ready to throw something, Darkhorse was not certain which. Only when the sorceress finally met them at the bottom of the palace steps did her mood become more evident.
"Cabe! You"re all right! Why didn"t you contact us?" Her expression darkened. "What have you been up to?"
The sorcerer slid off Darkhorse"s back. The eternal tried to quietly step back, the better to escape the brunt of any explosion, verbal or magical. He had a healthy respect for Cabe"s wife.
Cabe tried to calm her. "It took longer than we expected to investigate the barony. We had to be careful, too, what with the possibility that any of Lanith"s mages might be in the vicinity. I"m sorry we had to keep you anxiously waiting, Gwen."
Her gaze darted from her husband to the shadow steed. "Is that all? Nothing terrible happened?" She folded her arms. "I don"t think that I believe you."
"I a.s.sure you, Lady Bedlam-"
"Never mind, Darkhorse." Cabe sighed. "I can"t lie to you, Gwen. I don"t know why I tried to make it sound as if nothing had happened. We"d have to tell you everything soon enough, anyway. Something did happen. I don"t even know all of it. There"s much that Darkhorse still has to tell me."
"Then the best thing for all of us," declared the voice of the king of Penacles, "is to retire to my chambers and discuss this in privacy."
The Gryphon stood several steps above them, having arrived so silently that even the eternal had not noticed him. He was perhaps one of the few creatures who could consistently surprise Darkhorse, although, to be fair, Darkhorse was one of the few creatures capable of consistently making the monarch uneasy.
It did not take Cabe very long to relate his story. The others listened carefully, Gwen"s expression turning darker as the tale of the spell trap unfolded. By the time the sorcerer was finished, her hands had folded into such tight fists that her knuckles were bone white.
"You nearly died, Cabe! If not for Darkhorse-"
"It wasn"t Darkhorse, darling. Not exactly."
"If I may . . ." The Gryphon poured himself a goblet of wine. He had made certain that his guests had been given both food and drink, especially the still-weary sorcerer. The king raised the goblet and sipped, his features momentarily shifting to that of a handsome gray-haired man with patrician features. The Gryphon could completely shift form for long periods at a time, but preferred the one with which he was most familiar. "Let us simply hear Darkhorse. Then we can take it from there."
The Bedlams nodded. Darkhorse debated leaving out some aspects of the adventure, especially the part concerning their feminine rescuer, but knew that Cabe would never allow him to do so. That in mind, he threw himself into the telling, making certain that no part of it, however small, was left out. Darkhorse even related his own sensations during the struggle in the sinister trap and his mistrust of their rescuer afterward.
His mention of Tori brought forth a variety of reactions from the trio. The Gryphon looked merely curious. Gwendolyn Bedlam kept her expression neutral but her narrowing eyes were a clear indication of what she thought of the mysterious woman"s interest in her husband. As for Cabe, he first looked uncomfortable, then thoughtful, especially when the eternal mentioned that their benefactor had used a false name.