He walked around the wagon, and discovered the boy and girl beside a small fire where they toasted skewers of bacon chunks and quartered onion.
The girl looked up as Carfilhiot approached; the boy kept his attention on the fire. Carfilhiot wondered briefly as to his detachment. A s.h.a.g of golden-brown curls fell over his face; his features were fine, yet decisive. He was, thought Carfilhiot, a boy of remarkable distinction. His age was perhaps nine or ten. The girl was two or three years older, in the early springtime of her life, as gay and sweet as a daffodil. She looked up, to meet Carfilhiot"s gaze. Her mouth drooped and she became still. She spoke, however, in a polite voice: "Sir, Dr. Fidelius is not here just now."
Carfilhiot came slowly forward. The girl rose to her feet. The boy turned to look in Carfilhiot"s direction.
"When will he be back?" asked Carfilhiot gently.
"I think very soon," said the girl.
"Do you know where he went?"
"No, sir. He had important business, and we were to be ready to leave when he returned."
"Well then, everything is quite in order," said Carfilhiot. "jump into the wagon and we will drive directly to Dr. Fidelius."
The boy spoke for the first time. Despite his clear features, Carfilhiot had thought him pensive, or even a trifle daft. He was taken aback by the ring of authority in the boy"s voice. "We cannot leave here without Dr. Fidelius. And we are cooking our dinner."
"Wait in front, sir, if you will," said the girl and turned her attention back to the sizzling bacon.
Chapter 27.
THE RIVER CAMBER, approaching the sea, joined the Murmeil and became an estuary some thirty miles long: the Cambermouth. Tides, swirling currents, seasonal fogs and sand bars which appeared and disappeared with changes of weather made for uncertain navigation in and out of Avallon Harbor.
Approaching Avallon from the south by Icnield Way, the traveler must cross the estuary, at this point two hundred yards wide, by a ferry, tethered to an overhead cable by a chain hanging from a ma.s.sive pulley-block. At the south the cable was secured to the top of Cogstone Head beside the lighthouse. At the north it terminated at a b.u.t.tress of concreted stone on River Scarp. The cable crossed the estuary at a skewed angle; the ferry leaving Cogstone landing was thereby propelled by the flooding tide across the estuary to the dock at Slange, under River Scarp. Six hours later, the ebbing tide thrust the ferry back to the south sh.o.r.e.
Aillas and his companions, riding north along Icnield Way, arrived at Cogstone halfway through the afternoon. Riding over the Cogstone ridge they paused to overlook the wide view which suddenly spread before them: the Cambermouth extending in a sinuous curve to the west where it seemed to brim over the horizon; the estuary to the east spreading wide to join the Cantabrian Gulf.
The tide was at the turning; the ferry lay at Cogstone Landing. Ships finding a fair insore wind drove into the estuary to the west spreading wide to join the Cantabrian Gulf.
The tide was at the turning; the ferry lay at Cogstone Landing. Ships finding a fair insh.o.r.e wind drove into the estuary with all canvas spread, including a large two-masted felucca flying the flag of Troicinet. As they watched it edged toward the northern sh.o.r.e and docked at Slange.
The three rode down the road to the landing where the ferry waited departure only upon full flood of the tide.
Aillas paid toll for the pa.s.sage and the three rode aboard the ferry: a heavy scow fifty feet long and twenty feet wide, well loaded with wagons, cattle, peddlers and mendicants on their way to the fair; a dozen nuns from Whanish Isle convent, on pilgrimage to the Holy Stone brought by St. Columba from Ireland.
At Slange Aillas went to the Troice felucca for news, while his friends waited. He came riding back in a state of despondency. He brought out the Never-fail, and exclaimed in frustration as the tooth pointed north.
"In truth," declared Aillas, "I don"t know what to do!"
Yane asked: "So then, what is the news from Troicinet?"
"They say King Ospero lies sickly in his bed. If he dies and I am not on hand, then Trewan will be crowned king-which is as he planned... I should be riding full speed south at this instant, but how can I with Dhrun my son to the north?"
Cargus, after a moment"s thought, said: "You cannot ride south in any event until the ferry takes you back to Cogstone. Meanwhile, Avallon is an hour"s ride north, and who knows what we will find?"
"Who knows? Let us be off!"
The three rode hard along the final miles of Icnield Way, between Slange and Avallon, arriving by a road which bordered the common. They discovered a great fair to be in progress, though already it had gone into its waning stages. Beside the common Aillas consulted the Never-fail. The tooth pointed north to a target across the common and perhaps beyond. Aillas made a disgusted sound. "He might be out there on the common or a hundred miles north, or anywhere in between. Tonight we shall check to the edge of town, then tomorrow, w.i.l.l.y-nilly, I ride south by the noon ferry."
"That is good strategy," said Yane, "and even better if we are able to find lodging for the night."
"The Black Bull yonder seems appealing," said Cargus. "A mug of bitter ale, or even two, will not come amiss."
"The Black Bull then, and if luck is with us, there will be room to lay down our bodies."
At their request for lodging the innkeeper first held out his hands in despair, then was nudged by one of the porters. "The Duke"s Room is open sir. The company never arrived."
"The Duke"s Room, then! Why not? I cannot hold a choice lodging the whole night through." The landlord rubbed his hands together. "We call it the "Duke"s Room" because Duke Snel of Sneld.y.k.e honored us with his custom, and not twelve years ago. I"ll take silver for the rent. During the Grand Fair, and for the Duke"s Room, we ask a premium fee."
Aillas paid over a silver florin. "Bring us ale, out under the tree."
The three sat at a table and refreshed themselves in the cool breeze of late afternoon. The throngs had dwindled to a trickle of late-comers hoping to drive hard bargains, and scavengers. Music was quiet; vendors packed their goods; acrobats, contortionists, mimes and jugglers had gone their ways. The Grand Fair formally ended on the morrow, but already pavilions were being struck and booths disa.s.sembled; carts and wagons trundled off the common to the road and so away: to north, east, south and west. In front of the Black Bull pa.s.sed the flamboyant wagon of Dr. Fidelius, drawn by a pair of black two-headed horses, and driven by a dashing young gentleman of striking appearance.
Yane pointed in amazement at the horses. "See the marvels! Are they freaks, or works of magic?"
"For myself," said Cargus, "I would prefer something less ostentatious."
Aillas jumped to his feet to look after the wagon. He turned back to his fellows. "Did you notice the driver?"
"Certainly. A young grandee on a lark."
"Or some wild young dartling with pretensions to gentility."
Aillas thoughtfully resumed his seat. "I have seen him before- under strange circ.u.mstances." He raised his mug only to find it empty. "Boy! Bring more ale! We will drink, then we shall follow Never-fail at least to the edge of town."
The three sat in silence, looking across the traffic of street and common. The serving-boy brought them ale; at the same moment a tall sandy-haired man with a wild and somewhat distracted look came striding along the street. He halted and spoke urgently to the boy. "I am Dr. Fidelius; has my wagon pa.s.sed by? It would be drawn by a team of black two-headed horses!"
"I have not seen your wagon, sir. I have been busy fetching ale for these gentlemen."
Aillas spoke. "Sir, your wagon pa.s.sed only minutes ago."
"And did you notice the driver?"
"1 took special heed of him: a man of about your own age, with dark hair, good features and a manner which was notably bold or even reckless. 1 feel that I have seen him before, but I cannot remember where."
Yane pointed. "He drove away yonder, south along knield Way."
"Then he will be stopped at Cambermouth." He looked back to Aillas. "If I used the name Faude Carfilhiot would that bring shape to your memory?"
"It would indeed." Aillas thought back across an age of toil, flight and wandering. "I saw him once at his castle."
"You have verified my worst fears. Boy, can you get me a horse?"
"I can go to the ostler, sir. The better the horse, the more coin he will ask."
Shimrod tossed a gold crown upon the table. "Bring his best, and in haste."
The boy ran off. Shimrod sat upon a bench to wait. Aillas appraised him sidelong. "What, when you catch him at Slange?"
"I will do what must be done."
"You will have your hands full. He is strong and no doubt well armed."
"I have no choice. He has kidnapped two children who are dear to me, and he might well do them harm."
"I would believe anything of Carfilhiot," said Aiilas. He considered his own circ.u.mstances and came to a decision. He rose to his feet. "I will ride with you to Slange. My own quest can wait an hour or two." The Never-fail still dangled from his wrist. He glanced at the index, then again, incredulously. "Look you, at the tooth!"
"Now it points south!"
Aillas turned slowly to Shimrod. "Carfilhiot drove south with two children: what are their names?"
"Glyneth and Dhrun."
The four men rode south in the light of the westering sun, and folk along the road, hearing the pound of hooves, moved to the side to let the riders pa.s.s, then turned to wonder why men should ride so hard at sundown along Icnield Way.
Across the heath rode the four and up Riverside Heights where they drew their snorting horses up short. The Cambermouth glared incandescent in the light of the setting sun. The ferry had not waited for full ebb. In order to make full use of daylight it had left Slange at the turn of the tide and already was halfway across the river. Last aboard was the wagon of Dr. Fidelius. A man standing at the side of the wagon might have been Faude Carfilhiot.
The four rode down the hill to Slange, to learn that the ferry would turn north sometime after midnight, when the tide was once more at flood, and would not cross to Cogstone Landing until sunrise.
Aillas asked the dock attendant: "Is there no other way across the water?"
"Not with your horses; no indeed, sir!"
"Then, can we cross afoot, and at once?"
"Nor neither afoot, sir. There"s no wind to fill a sail, and no one would row you across with the current at full ebb, neither for silver nor gold. He"d end up on Whanish Isle, or beyond. Come back by sunrise and ride in comfort."
Back on the heights they watched the ferry dock at Cogstone. The wagon rolled ash.o.r.e, moved up the road and out of sight into the dusk.
"There they go," said Shimrod flatly. "We can"t hope to catch them now, the horses will run all night. But,I know his destination."
"Tintzin Fyral?"
"First he will stop at Faroli to visit the magician Tamurello."
"Where is Faroli?"
"In the forest, not too far away. I can communicate with Tamurello from Avallon, through one Triptomologius. At the very least he will see to the safety of Glyneth and Dhrun if Carfilhiot brings them to Faroli."
"Meanwhile they are at his mercy."
"So they are."
Icnield Way, parchment-pale in the moonlight, crossed a land dark and silent, with no glimmer of light to be seen on either hand. South along the way the two-headed horses pulled the wagon of Dr. Fidelius, with wild eyes and flaring nostrils, mad with hate for the being who drove them as they had never been driven before.
At midnight Carfilhiot pulled to a halt beside a stream. As the horses drank and cropped gra.s.s beside the road, he went to the back of the wagon and opened the door. "How goes it in there?"
After a pause Dhrun spoke from the darkness: "Well enough."
"If you want to drink, or ease yourselves, come down, but try no tricks as I lack patience."
Glyneth and Dhrun whispered together, and agreed that there was no reason to ride in discomfort. Warily they descended from the back of the wagon.
Carfilhiot allowed ten minutes, then ordered them back into the wagon. Dhrun went first, silent and stiff with anger. Glyneth paused with one foot on the bottom step of the ladder. Carfilhiot stood with his back to the moon. She asked: "Why have you kidnapped us?"
"So that Shimrod, whom you know as Dr. Fidelius, works no magic against me."
Glyneth tried to keep her voice from trembling. "Are you planning to set us free?"
"Not immediately. Get in the wagon."
"Where are we going?"
"Into the forest, then away to the west."
"Please let us go!"
Carfilhiot studied her where she stood full in the moonlight. A pretty creature, thought Carfilhiot, fresh as a wildflower. He said lightly: "If you behave nicely, then nice things will happen to you. For now into the wagon with you."
Glyneth climbed into the wagon, and Carfilhiot closed the door.
Once more the wagon set off along Icnield Way. Glyneth spoke into Dhrun"s ear: "This man frightens me. I"m sure that he is Shimrod"s enemy."
"If I could see, I"d stab him with my sword," muttered Dhrun.
Glyneth said hesitantly: "I don"t know if I could do so-unless he were trying to harm us."
"Then it would be too late. Suppose you stood by the door. When he opened it, could you thrust through his neck?"
"No."
Dhrun sat silently. After a moment he picked up his pipes and began to blow softly: trills and runs, to help himself think. He stopped short and said: "That"s rather odd. It"s dark in here, is it not?"
"Very dark indeed."
"Perhaps I"ve never played in the dark before. Or perhaps I"ve never noticed. But as I play, the golden bees fly in swoops and loops, as if they were annoyed."
"Perhaps you are keeping them from their sleep."
Dhrun blew into his pipes with more fervor. He played a jig and a merridown and then a caper of three parts.
Carfilhiot called back through the window: "Stop that d.a.m.nable fifing; it puts my teeth on edge!"