Daughter of Magic, page 4
“Sil, think you can find another feathered friend to scout for us? I’d like to know how far this camp extends to the South. I don’t see any way through, so we’ll have to take the long way around.” Keelan took his last bite and stretched, his muscles knotted from sleeping on the lumpy ground.
“Shouldn’t be a problem. Let’s go up the next mountain a bit, away from the picket line. I should have more luck finding birds up there. The camp’s activity will keep them away from ground, and I need to be fairly close to make the initial connection.”
The team worked their way from the army’s lines and started up the mountain to the southwest. It only took thirty minutes for Sil to find a nest in one of the tall pines, its occupants chirping loudly. One of the dusty-brown birds floated down to the ground and landed on her outstretched arm. After a few minutes of mental instruction, it flew up through the forest canopy and over the sprawling tent city.
Sil sat on the ground and crossed her legs, then fixed her eyes on some distant point in the woods. Declan and Atikus walked a few paces away and remained silent to allow her to concentrate. It only took a few minutes for her to shake her head clear of the magical vision.
“The army isn’t as large as we’d first thought, extending the tent rows another league or so to the southwest. But I sent the bird further west along the King’s Road and saw an endless line of pikemen, archers, and others. The further she went, the hazier the vision became, but I think there was a line of siege weapons, some only partially assembled, at the far end of one column.”
Atikus looked at Keelan. “That fits with what we thought before. They’re not planning to attack before winter, but they’re definitely prepping for something offensive when the spring thaw comes.”
“We’ve sent warning, and Declan is finding aid. Our focus now is finding the Healer and bringing her home safely, hopefully figuring out why she was taken.” Keelan waited for Atikus or Sil to object, but they simply nodded. “Sil, if we stay up here, halfway up this mountain, do you think we’ll be well disguised enough from the camp below? I’d rather not spend the time climbing higher if we can avoid it,”
“Yeah, pretty sure we’ll be ok. When I looked back through the bird’s eyes, the trees were pretty thick. As long as we don’t make any crazy noises or rapid motions, we should be fine.”
“Alright, let’s get on with this. It’ll take us the rest of the day to get across this mountain, then the next one. Based on what you described, that should put us well south of the army’s perimeter. We can cut through the countryside from there,” Keelan said.
Leaves littered the forest floor as the autumn months descended toward winter. Keelan worried that the thinning canopy might make spotting them easier as they wound their way around the military encampment, but the day passed without incident. They continued hiking half a league past the southern edge of the camp but decided to wait until the next day to leave the mountain cover, making camp among the trees.
“Keelan, where are we headed? We lost Tiana’s trail and have no way of knowing where those men are taking her, or if they made it through the military camp. For all we know, the Kingdom forces turned them back at the border.” Sil voiced concerns they’d all struggled with over the past couple of days.
Keelan thought a moment. “Atikus, any thoughts? I don’t know the Kingdom’s geography well.”
“The King’s Road forks about a thirty leagues past Huntcliff. One fork continues around a massive lake to the town of Cradle, then through the Spires toward the capital, Fontaine. The other goes to a small village called Irina’s Seat, then shoots south to the coast. They were probably a day ahead of us when we ran into that patrol near the border. If they didn’t stop in Huntcliff, a slow-moving cart would probably take a week to get to the fork, maybe a day or two more. That would put them roughly a third of the way to the fork on the King’s Road right now.”
Atikus started pacing, thinking through the maps in his head. He stopped and turned, “Sil, any chance you could send a bird that far and try to find them? And if you can, how far away can you maintain a visual?”
She whistled quietly. “It would be difficult that far away. I’ve never tried anything like that. I guess it’s possible, but I’d need to pair with a much stronger bird . . . something like a hawk. They can fly higher and have better sight than the little songbirds we’ve been using.”
“Atikus, could you lend Sil magical strength or something, like what the Mages did with the scrying back in Saltstone? Would that extend the range?” Keelan asked.
“Hmm . . . maybe. But that would require significant concentration and maintained contact. We’d have to be still the whole time—and sitting would be better,” Atikus said.
“Once I’ve bonded, I can plant an idea, like following those men, and won’t have to maintain the visual. The bird will stay on task until we get too far apart or something else breaks the bond. That would let us keep moving and simply check in periodically. Do you think that would work with us linked?” she asked the Mage.
Atikus thought a moment. “It should. I wouldn’t be guiding your Gift; you would be in control. All I would offer is additional magic, more strength to power your bond with the bird.”
Keelan perked up. “I saw several hawks when we were higher up the other day. Climbing this mountain to find one would take us in the opposite direction and put us further behind. Do you really think this could work?”
“I don’t know. I think so, but that’s a long way to stretch a bond, even with Atikus’s added strength. On the other hand, without something like this, how would we even know where to start?” Sil asked.
“She’s right, Keelan. We’re hiking blind,” Atikus said.
“I don’t love this, but can’t think of a better idea,” Keelan conceded. “Let’s get some sleep and start early in the morning.”
* * *
Morning came quickly the next day, though the sleepy sun took his time rising over the mountains. Keelan led the team on a winding trek. After several hours of climbing, the group stopped to rest. A small stream trickled nearby in its rocky bed, and Sil noticed tiny flashes of silver that darted in and out of the rocks as she knelt to refill her skin. The crystal water was cold and refreshing.
By the time they reached a small clearing two-thirds of the way up the mountain, the sun had started his descent. Atikus tossed his pack on the ground and leaned against a large boulder.
“I’m too old for all this hiking,” the Mage said as he rubbed his neck.
“Guess it’s a good thing we’ll be stuck here a while. Sil, what do you need us to do?” Keelan leaned next to Atikus.
“Nothing, really. I just need to look around, see if I can spot anything flying up here. It doesn’t take a second to bond once I’ve found the right bird.”
It took another hour before Sil pointed toward a small moving dot in the distance. They watched as it came closer and resolved into a beautiful golden eagle, wings spread majestically as it glided toward the peak. Sil closed her eyes and concentrated for a few seconds before sitting and crossing her legs. Another minute passed before the giant bird burst into the clearing and landed in front of Sil. The eagle stood over six hands tall and shook itself upon landing, then stretched its brown-gold plumed wings to their full twelve-hand span. Its beak looked like curved stone of mottled brown and gray, lined with deep markings that closely matched the golden hue of its intelligent eyes. Atikus and Keelan stared in awe.
Sil never flinched as she reached a hand toward the eagle’s head and received a nuzzle in her palm. There was a moment of eye contact between them, then the bird took flight and disappeared from view.
“That was better than I’d hoped. Eagles are highly intelligent and have excellent sight. It’ll take him more than an hour to get within range of the search area, so we can start back down.” Sil stood and dusted off her breeches. “If we can’t locate them before it gets dark, we’ll have to wait until tomorrow. Eagles have keen day vision, but they can barely see what’s right in front of them at night.”
“That might be the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen. That eagle was huge!” Keelan gawked at Sil while Atikus grunted in agreement.
The trek back down the mountain was much easier than the climb. The sun was starting to set when Keelan called a halt and Sil contacted the eagle again, this time with Atikus’s hand holding hers, supplying a steady flow of additional magic. She opened her eyes after a few minutes, dizzy from the disorienting view several leagues in the air.
“That was amazing. I’ve never bonded with an eagle before, and this one likes to fly high and fast. Spirits, it felt like I was actually there.” Her childlike smile was infectious, and Atikus grinned.
“The extra trickle of magic can be euphoric, too. You were channeling a lot of power, probably more than you knew,” Atikus said.
She wiped the grin from her face and resumed her Guard’s tenor. “We spotted a cart that matched the description, complete with two men. Details weren’t great, probably more due to the strain from the distant bond than the eagle’s vision. I’m confident they were our kidnappers.”
“Where were they in relation to Huntcliff? Could you tell?” Keelan asked.
“Yeah. They weren’t as far along as Atikus thought. Probably seven leagues from Huntcliff. Distance is really hard to make out through a bond, though.”
“That’s the first good news we’ve had in a while. Based on what you described, they’d have another four or five days before reaching the fork, right?”
Atikus nodded, then turned to Sil. “Could you see anything of the troops headed toward Huntcliff? If we can get a sense of numbers, I’ll contact the Arch Mage tomorrow.”
“I saw long columns headed east. The eagle didn’t go low enough to get any sense of numbers or composition, but we can definitely do that tomorrow. With his vision, I should be able to get you a solid estimate.”
As they settled in for another night on the mountain, Keelan thought through the days to come. They’d have to cut across a lot of open ground before reaching the road that ran north toward Rutin. On foot, that would probably take a week. From there, he was confident they could buy horses and make better time.
* * *
They were packing for another long day when Keelan asked Sil to look in on the masked men through the eagle’s eyes again to make sure they were still headed up the King’s Road toward the fork. She settled onto her bedroll, crossed her legs, and closed her eyes. The others continued their packing. Ten minutes passed before she stirred again, surprised to see Atikus and Keelan waiting impatiently on the ground beside her.
“We were starting to get worried. You haven’t taken that long before.” Keelan placed a steadying hand on her shoulder as the vision faded and her head stopped swirling.
“The eagle flew north to rest for the night, almost to the coast. We had to fly back down and then locate the cart. They traveled a lot faster than we were expecting; I doubt they stopped for the night based on where we found them. At this rate, they may reach the fork within a couple of days.”
Keelan let out a heavy sigh. “So much for our good news. We may have to take some extra risks and find horses along the way. What about troop movements?”
“No real change in the troops. Still a long line coming in, but they’re in no hurry. It was odd to see how they left the road to let the robed men’s cart through. It almost looked like they were afraid of them,” she said.
“The Children are a tiny cult, but they have an almost mythical reputation. We think of them as a story to scare children, but the Kingdom still fears the legend of their power following the Kingdom War,” Atikus said.
“That might explain how they made it through the border so easily. Hmm . . . Wish we had a few of those robes. Might clear some of the challenges from our path.” Keelan’s wheels were turning. “Unless either of you has a better idea, I still think we have to move across the open land toward Rutin. We’ll probably make it halfway by the time the cart reaches the crossroads, but that would get us past the army’s camps and in position to pursue them.”
By mid-morning, the team had made it to the bottom of the mountain and into the vast, open land of the Kingdom’s eastern edge. To the south and west, the grassland stretched for many leagues empty and undisturbed. Soft rolling hills covered by an emerald carpet were littered with small yellow and pink flowers that thrived in the cool near-winter days. Very little wildlife stirred, save flocks headed south that occasionally passed overhead.
To the northeast, they could see the haze of the army’s camp several leagues away. They had walked more than six leagues when the sun set and Atikus was showing his exhaustion. Keelan, determined to put more distance between them and the army camp, suggested they rest for thirty minutes but continue into the evening. Atikus reluctantly agreed despite arguments from his aching back and feet.
Five hours later, the old Mage could walk no further and insisted the team make camp for the night. Atikus was snoring before Sil could even offer him something to eat. She smiled and covered him with a blanket before getting herself settled for the night.
As Keelan stared at the stars of the crisp night sky, his mind drifted to Tiana in her pale blue smock. He could see her smile, her warm, bright eyes. The vision shifted to her empty, ransacked infirmary and his smile vanished. Standing in the foyer, he stared silently at the tapestry the Healer loved more than any other possession, the last vestige of her father still present in her practice. An unfamiliar moisture trickled down his cheek as he thought of his failure to protect her, his failure so far to bring her home.
He welcomed sleep, hoping it would rescue him from the waking visions that pained his heart, but learned that visions of the Healer haunted his dreams as well.
5
ISABEL
The Queen reached across the armrest and gently gripped her husband’s hand. The Council had been haggling over preparations for several hours, and tensions were running high.
“You’re doing the right thing, my dear.” The Queen stroked his hand.
Alfred raised her hand to his lips. He had been staring at the same empty spot on the council table for a while, barely hearing the heated discussion among his advisors. He maintained his stare and whispered, “I hope you’re right, Issy. But this whole thing makes me sick. Going to war again? After our fathers kept the peace for a thousand years? This is all we’ll be remembered for.”
“They took our daughter! For all we know, Jess may be dead. If an attack on the royal family isn’t cause for war, what is?” she hissed.
He squeezed her hand affectionately. “We think they took her. All we have is supposition and circumstance. I just wish we had proof so my conscience could settle.”
The King rose from his throne and the debate ceased. Alfred paced around the table, again not really looking at anything in particular. They all watched.
“High Sheriff, what news from your men on the search for the Princess?”
The tall lawman man with shoulder-length dusty-brown hair stood and faced the King. “Your Majesty, I have men in every town and village across the Kingdom looking for her. The Princess’s likeness is posted on virtually every street corner in the land. We will know when she surfaces again.”
“But you’ve heard nothing since she was taken from the King’s Road two days ago?”
“No, Your Majesty,” the Sheriff said, bowing his head. “Several of my men were pursuing her two day’s ride outside of Spoke. They had maintained visual contact since she left Spoke but lost her when she crested a hill and made the Bend. The team said it was as if they simply vanished. They fanned out and searched the area for miles over the next few days, and I sent more teams to assist, but we found nothing.
“Your Majesty, the Kingdom is vast, but there are only so many places to hide, especially with all the troop movements underway. We’ll find her.”
“And your boy? Was he still with her?” The Queen’s words dripped with venom.
“Yes, my Queen. The team saw them fleeing together.”
The King stopped that argument before it could start. “We’ll deal with Danym later, after they are returned safely. Keep us informed, Sheriff. I need to think about all of this. Get something to eat and reconvene in one hour.”
As the counselors rose and walked out of the throne room, Isabel caught High Chancellor Thorn’s eye and motioned for him to follow her through the side exit toward the royal suites. They wound their way through the hallways, finally entering the Queen’s private study.
She closed and locked the door behind them. “Where is she, Danai? I can’t See her anymore. My Gift has been blind to her presence since she was taken.”
“I don’t know, Your Majesty. As the Sheriff said, the constables tried to catch the pair midway between Spoke and Cradle. The whistler they fired to mark their location prompted a chase, and then they simply vanished. My Mages have tried to scry for her using the items you gave us, but they failed. It’s as if someone—or something—is blocking our Gifts.”
The Queen sank into one of the leather chairs facing the fire. “I’ve heard of Enchanted devices that do exactly that. Those I Enchanted for the King offer privacy from eavesdropping and some magical protection, but I’ve never heard of anyone shielding a person from detection. That would take an incredibly powerful Gift.”
“Your Majesty, I am unaware of any other Enchanters in the Kingdom.”
“We need more evidence of Melucian provocation. The King is wavering on a preemptive strike, and I refuse to let Jess’s kidnapping stop our plans,” she said.
“Perhaps this is exactly what we need. If we could find evidence of a foreign Enchanter, some device of Melucian origin, the King would shed all doubt. But my people inside Melucia’s Guild have gone quiet. They know we’re mobilizing.”
