Secrets of the Night Special Edition, page 54
"By the Goddess, never!" Terror invaded his body, a fear like nothing he'd ever known. He increased his pace, the scenery blurring past, and guiding the horse past thick trees and bushes, he jumped over tree stumps and boulders.
Zinerva grabbed folds of his cloak. "Major, I know we must hurry, but I'm about to fall off."
"My apologies." He reached and dropped her into his tunic pocket. For safety's sake, he slowed down. In spite of his horror, he sought to fill in the missing information. "How did you know where Radegunda lives?"
Her head peeked up over the top of his pocket. "I visited the princess in her cell this morning, and--"
"Her cell--at the palace?" He pushed a birch branch away.
"No, sir, at the Mag--Mag--"
"Magistrate's Hall."
"Yes, major, I couldn't say that word. She sent me to Radegunda for help.”
They descended a hill now, and he slipped forward, maintaining a careful perch on the horse. He placed his hand at his pocket to make sure Zinerva hadn't fallen out. Satisfied she was secure, he spoke again. "So you went to Radegunda's . . ."
"When I got there, she sent me after you." Zinerva paused, her finger in her mouth. "But I don't know how she knew where you were."
"Witchcraft, no doubt.” He shuddered. “When we reach the city, you must direct me to Radegunda." He must save Keriam. But he still didn't know how. Talmora’s bones!
Despite his nerve-blasting worry, the view of Moytura from a distance soothed him, as always. On a slight, sparsely-wooded hill that overlooked the city, the sorrel trotted down the rocky slope, side-stepping gnarled tree roots, sending rocks tumbling ahead.
The sun was a coral glow sinking below the eastern horizon as they reached the outskirts of the city. Thank the Goddess they were here! Tempted to gallop, Roric kept at a canter for safety's sake, also reluctant to arouse suspicion. The streets were near empty, most of the stores boarded up and only vagrants trudging the dirty streets. Following Zinerva's directions, they reached Radegunda's shop within minutes. By now, the fairy had left his pocket and was firmly ensconced on his shoulder again.
Still mounted on his horse, Roric pounded on the front door.
The door jerked open, and the witch stared at him, as though afraid to believe he'd actually come. Then a smile transformed her face. "Major, thank the Goddess you're here."
"Just tell me what you want! Is it true that the princess–“
"Yes, we'll talk about it shortly. First, take your mount to the stable," she said, indicating the place at the end of the street. "Give the boy there a copper coin, and he'll take good care of your horse. Hurry!”
As if he would linger! Leaving Zinerva behind, Roric rode to the stable. His hands clenched, his heart pounded every step of the way. What did Radegunda have to tell him? He stifled his impatience as he reached the clean and well-tended stable, where he made sure the sorrel had adequate food and water. Then he hurried back to the witch.
Waiting for him by the door, she ushered him inside and led him up the stairs. Inside the apartment, Zinerva was already settled, the fairy sitting on the edge of a table. With one glance, he took in the main room of Radegunda’s residence. Plain and utilitarian, it held two tables, a dresser, and a bed against the wall: a small room that led off to an even smaller kitchen.
She began without preamble, "Now listen to what we're going to do . . ."
* * *
"Eat, major." In the tiny kitchen, Radegunda set a bowl of vegetable soup and oat bread on the table in front of him, followed by a mug of corma. "Won't do fer you to go hungry. You'll need yer strength fer tomorrow." Steam rose from the soup, the aromas of carrots, beans, and coriander wafting through the air. But he couldn't eat.
Earlier, she'd told him how she'd been able to locate him in the forest. By witchcraft, of course! "And that's how I knew you didn't have a saddle," she'd said, nodding to the beautifully-crafted leather saddle in the corner. Grateful to have the accouterment, still he must pay her for it, a further depletion of his dwindling money supply.
More important, she'd explained her plan to save the princess: witchcraft again. Was Radegunda's spell strong enough? If it failed, well, he didn’t want to think about that. No, he corrected, if her spell miscarried, he'd rescue Princess Keriam himself. If he could save her--ah, if only he could--he'd risk eternal damnation, do anything to deliver the princess from that hideous death.
The room darkened, and Radegunda rose to light an oil lamp on the counter, then headed for the main room to light another lamp. The lamps gave off but little light, the rooms remaining in partial darkness. Returning to the kitchen, she pulled out a chair and sat across from him. Zinerva perched on the counter, daintily eating bread crumbs.
Squirming in his chair, Roric shoved the bowl aside. "Not hungry. I wish we could save her tonight."
She shook her head. "Spell won't work tonight. Have to wait 'til tomorrow, no matter how hard the waitin'. Now, eat, major." She dipped a spoon into her bowl, a cautious eye on him.
Sighing, Roric followed her example. "Very well, and I thank you." Although his appetite had left long ago, he saw the sense of the witch's logic; he needed all his strength for tomorrow, and he couldn’t think well on an empty stomach. He dipped his spoon into the soup, not tasting a thing but forcing himself to finish his repast. Then he drained the corma and set the mug down, viewing Zinerva from the corner of his eye. The fairy drank from a thimble, a satisfied smile on her face, and wiped her mouth with the tip of a napkin.
Soon finishing his meal, Roric scraped his chair back and stood to stretch his muscles and clear his head. He clenched and unclenched his hands. What if Radegunda's magic wasn't strong enough? Then he would save Princess Keriam himself, as he had vowed to do.
"You c'n stay here tonight, major," the old woman said, gathering up the dishes and setting them in a large iron tub of soapy water on the kitchen counter.
How could he sleep? Roric headed for the main room and paced back and forth within the cramped space. A short while later, the witch joined him, two blankets clutched in her arms.
"Git some sleep, sir." Setting one blanket aside, Radegunda flipped the other blanket open and stretched it out on the floor. "We have a busy day ahead of us tomorrow."
Roric shook his head. "Can't sleep.”
"Rest then. I'm goin' to bed now, and you'll only keep me awake if you keep pacin' back and forth." She smiled with encouragement. "Things will work out."
He shoved his hair back from his forehead. "A thousand things can go wrong."
"But won't. Have faith in me, Roric Gamal, in my good magic." She turned toward Zinerva, the fairy now hovering above a vase of fragrant hyacinth. "And you, Zinerva, c'n sleep on the table, if you like. You c'n use a pot holder as a mattress and a towel as a blanket. Unless you want to return to the palace?"
The fairy landed on the table with a light tap, her arms stretched out for balance. "No, Radegunda! I want to stay here with you. I want to see the princess tomorrow."
"Good. She'll want to see you, too, after we've saved her," she said with a knowing look in Roric's direction. "Tomorrow, the princess will be free!"
Roric wished he shared Radegunda's confidence.
* * *
"Now stand behind me," Radegunda said to Roric the next morning as crowds gathered by the execution site. The stake! His heart thudded with fear and horror. Sleepless and stiff, he had retrieved his horse from the stable and saddled it shortly after waking. He gripped the reins, his fingernails digging into his palms. On his shoulder, Zinerva clung to his cloak, eyes wide with terror. The trio stood back far from the execution site but close enough to hear the murmurs among the people. Next to a hat shop, Roric waited behind Radegunda. His heart pounded faster, faster, faster. If the witch failed to save the princess, he knew now what he must do. The dagger in his boot! Why hadn’t he thought of that? If Radegunda failed, he’d stab the princess to death, save her from this horrible execution. And then he’d kill himself. He could do it! He’d shove through the crowd and reach the princess before anyone could stop him.
Standing by a chair she'd brought from her apartment, the witch turned and gave him a look of frank appraisal. "No matter what happens, stay right here. Don't move until I tell you."
Roric nodded, loath to take orders but willing to do anything for Keriam’s sake. The sorrel, now well-fed and watered, occasionally nuzzled him, as if to give comfort. He studied the spectators and noted that most of them looked sad, an air of resignation on their faces. They dared not fight the druids or the usurper. Yet here and there he caught defiant expressions, too, dark looks that matched their angry words.
"She brought the plague to our city.”
"No, she’s innocent. If only we could save her! What a horrible way to die!"
“But there is no way we can save her.”
A hush fell over the crowd. Trying to see, Roric craned his neck, forced to stand on his tiptoes. Goddess, he prayed, please help Radegunda save the princess. He caught his breath at this first sight of her after all these moonphases. His heart pounded so fast, as if it would burst from his chest. Clad in a plain brown dress, her unkempt hair--also a dull brown--falling to her shoulders, she was still as lovely as ever. She looked around in all directions, as if hoping to recognize a friend. Sacred shrine, how he loved her! He’d give his life to save her. But before this day was over, they might both lose their lives.
Sentries moved among the hundreds of people, pushing them back, making way for Keriam. Grim-faced, a sentry on either side gripped the princess by the arm and led her from the Magistrate's Hall to the broad courtyard where the stake menaced. Balor followed with a look of smug satisfaction, his scar livid in the sunlight, his dark hair slick and falling to his shoulders. The chief magistrate and three druids came after him, their faces sober and unforgiving. More people had gathered now--thousands, Roric guessed. The sound of weeping was heard throughout the crowd.
Keriam blinked her eyes in the bright sunlight, her steps faltering as she neared the stake. Terror was written on her face, a face gone white. Roric clenched his hands, his stomach taut with tension. I love you so much, Keriam. If only I had the chance to tell you how much...Goddess, he prayed again, save her. Be with Radegunda this day.
Keriam addressed the guards, words Roric couldn't hear. Then her gaze covered the crowd, and she opened her mouth to speak in a loud, clear voice. "My beloved people of Moytura, please believe that I did not bring the plague to this city. I–“
"Then who did?" someone in the crowed shouted, but the rest of the people hissed him to silence.
"Remember, stay behind me," Radegunda whispered fiercely to Roric. "And help me up on the chair." She planted a quick kiss on Zinerva's cheek. "Goodbye to you, Zinerva. Thank you for helpin' me." Roric offered the witch his arm, and she mounted the chair, pressing her hand against the storefront for balance.
Radegunda drew her magic from deep within her, letting it build and strengthen, waiting to be released. Every breath she took, every beat of her heart, revolved around her skill.
"I feared that this black fever would kill many," Keriam continued, "if nothing was done to prevent this terrible sickness. And it has killed too many. People of Moytura, you must know that I have always loved you." Done speaking, she nodded to the sentries on either side of her. Looking as if she would faint, she bowed her head.
"The princess speaks the truth!" Radegunda shouted from her high position. She raised her arms, the power singing in her veins. Men and women turned her way, looking bewildered. Roric stared in Keriam's direction and saw disbelief mingling with hope on her face.
Sentries frantically glanced in all directions, trying to locate the speaker.
Radegunda raised her arms. "The princess speaks the truth," she repeated. "She did not cause the plague. Fleas on squirrels is what caused the black fever. And if anyone who is not here tries to tell you otherwise, you will tell him that the princess is innocent."
One of the sentries pointed to Radegunda. "There she is! Arrest her!"
Too late!
Radegunda flicked her upraised fingers, and a green mist spread over the people. She flicked her fingers in all directions, until she'd reached everyone who'd come to view the execution. Features set in bewilderment, the crowds exchanged glances and drew back, as if they could escape the drizzle.
Then Roric saw–The Goddess! He knew people would talk about this sight for years to come. An apparition of the Earth-mother Goddess glowed on the ground before them, her body nebulous but her voice as real as anyone's.
"The princess is innocent!" Talmora said. "Never doubt it. Let no one say she is guilty, for such an untruth will cause me distress. Remember, my people, that I am always with you, to help and guide you, to rid your country of wickedness." The specter of the Goddess slowly dissipated in a haze, and soon she was gone as mysteriously as she had come.
Stunned by Talmora's appearance, the spectators had little time to react, for Radegunda's spell was already affecting them. They sniffed the air, mothers gathering their children close. In no time, men, women, and children closed their eyes and slumped to the ground, soon fast asleep. The sentries, too, released Keriam and tumbled to the ground, stretched out on their sides. The princess swayed, then dropped in a graceful heap.
"The Goddess!" Roric breathed. "How could anyone doubt the princess's innocence?"
"She has Talmora's blessing!" Radegunda gasped.
Overcome by Talmora's apparition, it took several seconds before Roric or Radegunda moved. After the Goddess had drifted away in a haze, and the spectators slumbered around the execution site, the enchantress stepped from the chair and faced Roric.
"Now git the princess! Ride off, back to the Gorm Forest. I'll stay here."
"Yes!" Needing no further prompting, Roric strode forward, shoving through the crowd. He stepped over the somnolents, hundreds of them, and pressed his hand to his tunic pocket. "Hold on tight, Zinerva." Driven by haste, he soon reached the princess. He bent to lift her from the ground and enclose her in his arms, then retraced his steps. Precious minutes passed until he reached Radegunda again as he eased his way among the crowds, keeping his goal in sight.
With infinite care, Roric set Keriam facedown over the horse, the princess lax and easy to manage. Relieved to have a saddle now, he placed his foot in the stirrup and mounted, easing the princess closer to his body. He bade goodbye to Radegunda, his voice deep with happiness and gratitude. He would never forget this day, never forget Radegunda. He wished he had more time to reveal his appreciation, but he had to move. Urging the horse on, he headed away from the city, toward the forest.
Once past the warehouses that bordered the city's northern edge, he bent his head to address the fairy. "Zinerva, I could never have rescued the princess without your help. And I'm sorry you can't speak to her, after all."
"I can wait, major. Now it's time to return to the palace grounds," she said. "I miss all my friends there, human and fairy."
He patted her head. "Of course you do. And I hope to see you again soon."
"Right, sir." She crawled out of his pocket, her tiny fingers gripping his tunic material. "Please tell the princess how much I love her, and I hope to see her again soon. You, too, Roric Gamal." She jumped a little, then flew off. She turned to wave at him. "'Bye, major."
He returned the wave. "Goodbye, Zinerva."
The horse cantered past the warehouses on the city’s outskirts. Keriam remained fast asleep as they clambered up a wooded hill that preceded the forest, then entered its woodsy depths, where leafless trees and evergreens hemmed them in. With the princess’s body so close to his, wild thoughts taunted him, desires too long stifled.
Free of the city, Roric thought of Radegunda's rescue of the princess. Witchcraft!
Radegunda had told him the spell would save Keriam from execution and proclaim her innocence, yet she remained a fugitive from Balor. She dared not risk capture again. He resolved to dismiss his apprehensions. After all she'd endured, she surely could adjust to life in the forest, too.
But for how long? She must be restored to her rightful place as queen. And Balor must be eliminated. Roric squared his jaw, determined to make it happen.
* * *
Mindful of the need for haste, Radegunda watched Roric ride away, then faced the crowd again. Thank the Goddess for Zinerva and Roric Gamal. She could never have rescued the princess herself. Besides, she liked to see the princess and the major together. Maybe something would come of their proximity in the forest.
The crowds stayed on the ground, a few showing signs of awakening. Now she must remove all traces of the execution site. Saying a special invocation and gathering her magic within her in one final burst of power, she aimed her arm toward the steel stake, then flipped her arm back. At first nothing happened, except a crackling sound and a wobbling of the stake. She repeated her spell, projecting all her skill in this one enchantment.
With a hiss and a cloud of smoke, the steel stake rose from the ground and sailed overhead. Radegunda waved her arms in the direction of the Orn Mountains, miles away. The stake, flashing in the bright sunlight, soared over the city and continued flying north. In the far distance, it landed on a sandstone outcrop, scattering rocks in all directions. An eagle squawked and flew away, its wings beating wildly.
After the stake disappeared, Radegunda used the same spell to remove all evidence of the execution site. Happy beyond her wildest imaginings but exhausted, too, she turned and plodded back to her store, her strength depleted. She smiled to herself, immensely satisfied with all that had happened this day.
Chapter Twenty-eight
Keriam moaned. Awkwardly, she raised her head, wondering why she lay facedown across a horse. A wooded, rocky hill loomed ahead, leading to the forest. The forest--no! Can't go there. Preceding the woods, a path wound through dark clusters of trees, the hard ground studded with shale and limestone. Vague thoughts hazed her brain, recollections just out of reach.
