The Secrets of the Wild Wood, Page 31

The tower was high and they could see a long way. Piak had paid very little attention to the view, though, not even to the peaks of the Great Mountains. He was more interested in his friend.

  Tiuri had told him about the dangers hidden within the Wild Wood. He’d also explained how he and the Fool had escaped with Jaro’s help. But Piak still hadn’t heard nearly enough.

  “Yes, Tehalon has changed his mind,” said Tiuri. “But I don’t know why. I think it’s because the Lord of Mistrinaut has come. With so many soldiers in the area he cannot prevent the secret of the Tarnburg being revealed.”

  “The Knight with the Red Shield, the King of Eviellan,” said Piak. “What kind of man is he? What does he look like?”

  “He is the man who murdered Sir Edwinem,” said Tiuri slowly. “And what does he look like? He looks just like Sir Idian.”

  Piak wanted to ask more questions, but Tiuri did not give him the chance. “First I want to hear about your adventures,” he said. “I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t managed to arrive with help just at the right moment, Piak!”

  “Oh, there was a lot of luck involved,” said Piak. “And good people who helped me, like Adelbart.” He told Tiuri all about what had happened to him.

  “I’m so very glad we’re together again!” said Tiuri a little later. “And that Ardanwen is here, too.” He looked down below; there was his horse. Tehalon himself had fed and groomed Ardanwen.

  Just then, the Master of the Wild Wood came out of the trees, accompanied by a young man dressed in blue.

  “Who’s that?” asked Tiuri.

  As Piak looked, he felt his face flush. “Oh, that’s Fox,” he replied, “a squire from Mistrinaut, who came with us.” He noticed that Tiuri stopped paying attention to Fox then, and he didn’t know whether to be relieved or annoyed with him. “Aren’t we still more or less prisoners here?” he said, changing the subject. “They just ordered us to climb this tower.”

  “Tehalon has promised I can go wherever I want,” said Tiuri. “But he wants us to discuss before we act – him, the Lord of Mistrinaut and us. We must be very careful and consider our plan if we want to take on the enemy in the Tarnburg.”

  “And where do you want to go?” asked Piak.

  “To the Road of Ambuscade,” replied Tiuri, “over the mountains.”

  His intention did not surprise Piak. “I’ll go with you,” he said.

  “That’s what I thought you’d say,” Tiuri said with a smile. “I obviously can’t go into the mountains without you!”

  “So you still haven’t given up on that plan?” Jaro growled. “How do you intend to get there?”

  “And what about me?” whispered the Fool.

  “Marius,” said Tiuri. “I haven’t forgotten my promise to you.”

  “Oh, I know it’ll happen, Friend,” the Fool said. “But another day, later.”

  Tiuri frowned, though, and looked thoughtfully at the Fool and then at Jaro.

  “Look, the Master of the Wild Wood is beckoning to us,” said Jaro. “See? He is summoning us to him. Well, I hope he’s calling us to eat. I’m hungry.”

  “Me too,” said Piak. “I’ve only just realized.” To his annoyance, he saw that Tehalon stopped Lavinia as she went to walk away.

  “What’s wrong?” asked Tiuri.

  “Oh nothing,” said Piak. “Goodness, it seems so long ago that I went to fetch that bag and heard you shouting, ‘Danger! Flee!’” He went on chattering away, even after they’d reached the bottom of the tower. He hoped it might distract Tiuri’s attention from Fox.

  Fortunately, his friend headed straight for Ardanwen.

  Tehalon called him back, though, “Tiuri, here is someone you have not yet greeted.”

  Piak stopped talking, in the middle of a sentence.

  Lavinia bowed her head and said, “Fox is my name.” She clearly had not changed her mind.

  As Tiuri walked over to her, she had no choice but to stand there, but she tried to avoid his gaze. That only made Tiuri all the more curious. And for the first time he took a proper look at this stranger, the squire from Mistrinaut.

  Piak saw Tiuri’s eyes open wide. He’s recognized her, he thought. The colour drained from Tiuri’s face, but he said nothing, just held out his hand. Lavinia took it, and they stood there for a few moments, not moving.

  “What… did you say… your name was?” asked Tiuri, very quietly.

  “Fox…” Lavinia replied in a whisper. She tried to take back her hand, but Tiuri was holding it tightly.

  His face lit up with a smile. “I would like to call you by a different name,” he said.

  Lavinia looked down at her feet. Blushing, Tiuri released her hand. He stepped back, took a deep breath, and rubbed his hand across his forehead.

  “Fox?” he said. “Squire of Mistrinaut? Why?”

  “Why?” repeated Lavinia. She seemed just as confused and uncertain as Tiuri. “Because… I… Um… Are you perhaps mistaken somehow?”

  “I am not mistaken about what I see,” said Tiuri. “You are…”

  “My father needed a squire,” she interrupted him, breathlessly. “My brother was not there and so I came with him instead. Is that so strange, just because I’m a girl?”

  “No… yes,” said Tiuri. “All I can say, Lavinia, is that I’m… most surprised to see you here. Please forgive me if I greeted you rather strangely.”

  Neither of them had been paying any attention to the others, but now they realized they were still standing there. They looked embarrassed, as if they wanted to say more, but both remained silent.

  Tehalon introduced Lavinia to Jaro and the Fool and then said calmly, as if nothing had happened, “Come on, let’s go. We will wait for the Lord of Mistrinaut nearby, on the shore of the Deep Lake.”

  “When will he be here?” asked Lavinia, turning to him with a startled look on her face.

  “It’ll be a couple of hours yet,” replied Tehalon. “First we shall eat. And Fox – or Lavinia – you are a lady. Allow Sir Tiuri to accompany you to the Deep Lake, as is the custom in your circles.”

  They went with Tehalon, Tiuri walking beside Lavinia. Piak thought he looked as if he were sleepwalking.

  I’m sure Tiuri was happy to see her, Piak thought. He was surprised, but happy. And yet there was something about it that he didn’t like… Perhaps Lavinia had been right, after all, and this was not a good time for her to be reunited with Tiuri. But Tehalon had made sure they would meet. He knew Lavinia did not want to see Tiuri yet, but still he had brought them together. Did he have some reason for doing so?

  Piak looked at the Master of the Wild Wood. His face was as blank as usual. But, Piak said to himself, I would not be at all surprised if he did it with some hidden intention. He found it hard to imagine that the Master of the Wild Wood had acted just out of kindness or simply to interfere and meddle.

  9 TIURI AND LAVINIA

  Tiuri walked beside Lavinia. What a surprise it had been to recognize her! A shock, yes, but a delightful one. It felt as if he were seeing her for the first time and yet as if he’d known her forever – the only girl he could ever love. But when she had tried to pull her hand away and looked down, he suddenly realized that she probably did not feel the same way. And then he remembered that, so very recently, he had thought he was in love with another. He had even left Lavinia’s glove behind at the Tarnburg. And then there were her words: “My father needed a squire…” What a fool he was to think for even a moment that she would venture into the Wild Wood for his sake. As if she’d do that! he thought. I’m not worth it.

  He tried to pull himself together, as he really needed his wits about him. He had a vague feeling that it could be dangerous to give in to his emotions right now. Was he truly in love with Lavinia?

  But whatever the case, he could not walk beside her in complete silence. He had to say something to her, to speak to her.

  Lavinia spoke first. “I hope it did not startle you too much to see me in these cl
othes,” she said. “Perhaps I should be flattered that you still recognized me.”

  “I would recognize you anywhere, Lavinia,” he said. “But it is true that I was surprised… I still am.”

  “Only surprised?” asked Lavinia. She looked at him out of the corner of her eye and gave him a shy smile.

  “No, much more than that,” replied Tiuri. “Glad, afraid, and…” He fell silent, worried that he would say too much. Then he added, “But I don’t understand why your father would approve of your going with him.”

  Piak, who was walking behind them with Ardanwen, pricked up his ears.

  “He didn’t at first,” said Lavinia calmly. “But I knew he was very sorry my brother was not there to accompany him. And I did not want to let him go alone. Someone needs to keep an eye on him and to take care of him if anything should happen.”

  “Well, well,” said Piak to himself, “she had an answer all ready for him.” And he wondered what would happen when Lavinia came face to face with her father.

  Tiuri hesitated before speaking. “Ah… yes,” he said. “After all, none of you knew what kind of dangers might be awaiting you. But you really can’t stay here too long, Lavinia.”

  “Lady Lavinia is completely safe in my territory,” said Tehalon.

  “Would you please call me Fox, my lord?” said Lavinia. “As long as I am wearing these clothes, I would prefer to be treated as a squire. It won’t be for much longer, as I’m sure my father will send me back soon. Then you will have your way, Tiuri, and be free of my presence.”

  “Oh, that’s not what I meant at all!” said Tiuri in dismay. “I’m just concerned for you, Lavinia… Fox. Please do not think ill of me. I seem to be saying everything wrong.”

  “Don’t be angry with me, Tiuri!” began Lavinia.

  “Angry?”

  “Well, don’t be concerned, then. Please, talk to me as you would… as you would to a fellow soldier.” She glanced back. “As you would to Piak.”

  “And what a great brother-in-arms she is!” cried Piak. Lavinia and Tiuri seemed to be doing their best to misunderstand each other and Piak was glad to have an opportunity to speak. “Lavinia… I mean Fox, was the one who found Ardanwen.” He went to walk beside them and told his friend how they’d followed the horse.

  By then they’d reached the valley with the lake. Lavinia said, “If this is the Deep Lake, I don’t think I shall ever grow fond of it.” She saw that Tiuri’s gaze was fixed on her and quickly added, “Are you not happy to have Ardanwen again?”

  “And you standing here beside me is…” Tiuri began, but she didn’t let him finish.

  “Have you ridden him yet?” she asked. “He must be longing to gallop with you.”

  “As am I!” Tiuri suddenly realized.

  He leapt up, even though Ardanwen had neither reins nor saddle. The horse responded immediately to the pressure of Tiuri’s knee and the touch of his hand. The two of them raced away, into the valley.

  The others stood and watched them go.

  “Beautiful!” sighed Lavinia.

  “Now he is a knight again,” said the Fool, “a rider on the beautiful black horse.”

  Tiuri rode around the lake and waved at them. Then he galloped westwards and disappeared from sight.

  Jaro turned to Tehalon and said, “Are you not afraid that they will run away?”

  “No,” came the brief reply. Tehalon beckoned to Lavinia and started walking down to the lake.

  “Piak,” whispered Lavinia, “would you do something for me?”

  “Yes, what is it?”

  “Would you go ahead to meet my father and prepare him a little? You can tell him everything.” She went to walk beside Tehalon.

  “Dear me,” muttered Jaro. “Whatever is that young lady doing here? She might have disguised herself as a man, but it doesn’t help much. It seems to me that Tiuri already has enough on his mind. Now this girl’s here, too, to send his head spinning, there’ll be no end to the trouble.”

  “Stop talking nonsense, Jaro,” said Piak.

  “If you use your sense for a moment,” said Jaro, “you’ll see I’m right.”

  When they’d reached the shore of the lake, Tiuri turned back. His cheeks were flushed and his eyes were sparkling. As he reined in Ardanwen, he greeted them cheerfully.

  “A magnificent horse,” said Jaro.

  “No one but Tiuri can ride him,” Lavinia explained.

  “He let me sit on his back, too,” said the Fool proudly.

  “Really?” said Lavinia.

  “You may also ride him, Lavinia,” said Tiuri, bowing towards her. “Ardanwen is your servant, as am I.”

  “Oh, yes please…” she whispered.

  “But he has no saddle,” said Tiuri. “Climb up and ride just a short way, together with me… if you wish.”

  Lavinia hesitated for a moment before nodding. Tiuri helped her up in front of him and they rode away, at a gentle pace around the lake.

  “Tiuri won’t forget me, will he?” whispered the Fool. “He used to let me ride with him.”

  “You see? Marius thinks the same as me,” Jaro said quietly to Piak.

  “Ah, hold your tongue,” said Piak.

  I dreamt about this! thought Tiuri.

  He urged Ardanwen to go faster and Lavinia held on more tightly. Yes, he had dreamt about it, about riding Night Wind with Lavinia in his arms. But he’d been going even more quickly, racing towards an unknown destination…

  Suddenly he slowed Ardanwen’s pace. “I’m sorry,” he said a little shakily. “We should return.”

  Lavinia said nothing, but she smiled at him. Tiuri rode back at walking pace. “Lavinia,” he said, “or Fox if you prefer…”

  “Call me Lavinia,” she said.

  “I have a confession to make. Your glove… I lost it.”

  Lavinia laughed out loud. “Oh, Tiuri!” she said. “You’ve been through so much danger, you were taken prisoner, and then you escaped… and the first thing you tell me about it all is that you’ve lost my glove!”

  “Yes, but…” Tiuri began. “I just wanted to say that I’m sorry I lost it.”

  “I’m not,” declared Lavinia.

  “You’re not?” said Tiuri, suddenly afraid once again that he’d revealed too much about his feelings.

  “No, I’m not,” said Lavinia, “because I can give you another glove now, a nicer one… at least I can if you ask me for one.”

  By then they’d reached the others and Tehalon was approaching, so Tiuri did not have to reply.

  The Master of the Wild Wood looked at Lavinia and said, “You would feel at home among my people.”

  “Why is that, my lord?” she asked when they had dismounted.

  “Because you are able to enjoy the moment and forget worries that are for another day. You could both be happy here, together…” He stopped and said abruptly, “The fire is lit. Come.”

  Lian and some of the other Men in Green came to join them, and they sat by the fire to eat.

  In the distance a drum sounded, just once.

  “That means,” said Tehalon, “that the Black Knight with the Red Shield has left my lands.”

  Tiuri turned his gaze from Lavinia and sat up straight. He felt so alive right now! But although their surroundings were peaceful, warmongering warriors were not far away.

  Piak asked Tehalon if he could ride out to meet the Lord of Mistrinaut.

  “You have my permission,” Tehalon replied. “I expect him in less than two hours.”

  He stared at Piak, then Tiuri. “And then,” he continued, “we must have a serious discussion about matters that seem important now, but which will soon become history, then legend, and then be forgotten.”

  10 PLANS AND GOODBYES

  The afternoon of that eventful day was drawing to a close. They were once again sitting on the shore of the Deep Lake: Tiuri and Piak, the Master of the Wild Wood and the Lord of Mistrinaut, Lavinia, Adelbart, Jaro and the Fool. Around them, hi
dden among the trees, the Men in Green watched and waited.

  Tiuri had told Lord Rafox everything he knew about the enemy that dwelt within the Tarnburg.

  “It is even more serious than I thought,” Rafox replied. “The King of Eviellan himself! My men are few in number, but I don’t think we’ll be able to wait for reinforcements.” His expression was grim.

  Piak looked at him and thought about the conversation they had recently had, when he had gone to prepare Lord Rafox for the unexpected reunion with his daughter. Lord Rafox had been furious at first! Yet Piak had managed to calm him down so that he wasn’t too angry with Lavinia when he saw her again.

  And now there were more important issues to discuss.

  The King of Eviellan was threatening both the Kingdom of Unauwen and the Kingdom of Dagonaut. Those in the west needed to be informed of the existence of the Road of Ambuscade, of course. Lord Rafox would immediately send some of his men as messengers, along the First Great Road, which lay to the north of the forest.

  It was not known when the attack would take place. Jaro thought that more men from Eviellan were expected to arrive and it would certainly be some time before they were all ready for battle.

  It was possible, however, that the king would attack sooner than originally planned. He might fear that his stronghold would be discovered.

  “That’s why I asked you if you could send your men to the east,” Tiuri said to the Lord of Mistrinaut. “He knows you are in the forest, because of the drums and perhaps because of his spies. If he thinks your goal is elsewhere – the Forgotten City, for example – perhaps he will not act as yet. Does that give us enough time to warn them in the west?”

  “I hope so,” said Lord Rafox. “But it’ll take eight to ten days for messengers to reach the other side of the mountains. And, of course, the Kingdom of Unauwen will not immediately be ready to resist an invasion.”

  “It would be faster along the Road of Ambuscade, which is nearby,” said Tiuri. He turned to look at Tehalon and said, “This morning, just before Piak came, you said you might know a way to get there quickly.”