Tinderbox, page 29
Always beside me, always my friend.
You have other friends now.
He’d spoken the truth. Isbet smiled. She could feel them nearby, focused on her.
As for Serval, the Rot dragged him down into the depth of Underneath. The way he continued to laugh, it was as though he welcomed this gruesome end.
It was no longer Isbet’s concern as she focused on removing the taint from her own body. If Serval wished to live in the entrails of the beast, so be it.
A poor choice, Isbet thought.
* * *
The Mother came to her again. Isbet wondered if she were dreaming. Perhaps she was, for at first she was floating in nothing, then the light of the Mother surrounded her.
“Thank you,” the Mother said. “Thank you for protecting my child.”
“I did only what you asked of me.” Isbet did not understand why she’d said that, but she knew it to be the truth.
“And now you must go back to him. He asks a boon of me and I shall grant it. Your life, Lady Isbet.”
Bram was there; Isbet sensed his presence.
“Live, dear Isbet,” the Mother said. “Live and fare thee well.”
* * *
Isbet came awake when the sun warmed her face. She was in her bed in her room in Bram’s guest quarters. She pushed herself up and frowned as her gaze went around the space. Where in the hells was Gaemyr?
Isbet pulled the cord by her bed. She heard nothing, but supposed there was a bell somewhere, because an acolyte came rushing into the room. Her eyes bugged when she saw Isbet. “You’re awake! Thank the Triune.”
“Girl, where is my—”
However, the girl ran out and yelled, “She is awake, Lady Isbet is awake!”
“Oh, by everything that’s good and decent.” Isbet yanked back the covers then hesitated when she saw the scarring on her legs and feet. “Damn it all,” she muttered. She swung her legs around and sat up. “How in the hells long was I asleep?”
Isbet heard running feet and a tiny figure halted before her door. “Isbet!”
“Seth!” Isbet held out her arms and the little boy leaped upon the bed and climbed into them. Isbet held him tight, breathing in that scent of the outdoors that only little boys had. “I missed you,” Isbet said as he snuggled against her chest.
“You did?” He looked up at her, with all the love and admiration he had. “I missed you too and you’ll never guess – Coline tested me. I’m a wizard.”
“You are?” She grinned and hugged him close. “I’m so proud of you.”
“You’ll still teach me, won’t you?”
“Of course.”
More running feet and Bram’s muscular frame filled the door. There was such a look of relief on his face that it melted Isbet’s heart. She had missed him too, even if she had only been unconscious for a short time. She needed Bram Greyward with her. Not to mention, he held Gaemyr in his grasp.
“Isbet,” Bram said.
Seth looked up and the little urchin grinned. “I’ll come back later, Isbet. I’ll go tell everyone you are all right.”
He hopped off the bed and scurried out the door, closing it behind him.
Bram walked carefully towards her as though he thought she would bolt like a frightened deer. He knelt before her and handed her Gaemyr.
“How are you faring?” Isbet asked the staff.
“Not good at all!” Gaemyr said. “It’s about time you woke up! Lazing about, leaving us in a fit of worry.”
“I missed you too.” Isbet smiled. “And thank you.”
Gaemyr harrumphed. “Well, then have your prince carry me out of here. I suppose you two will want to go at it.”
“Gaemyr, you are incorrigible.”
“And your first sign of that was…?”
Bram was looking at her with questions in his eyes.
“Thank you for bringing him,” Isbet said to Bram. “Would you take him into the other room, please?”
Bram took Gaemyr into the common room. He closed the door behind him when he returned. Now Isbet opened her arms to him and he came to her and kissed her, drinking her in like a man dying of thirst. She could feel him growing hard as his length pressed against her stomach and she laid her hand over him. He moaned and grasped her hand. “Damn you, woman, you scared the shite out of me.”
Isbet laughed, pulling him to her again. The first time they made love had a harried, almost desperate sense of urgency. The second they took their time, caressing each other as though learning each other’s bodies again.
They slept for a time and when they awoke Bram left her and went to the kitchen. He returned with a tray laden with food. Isbet wasted no time. She ate while Bram told her of the goings on in her absence.
“I sent Rajan back to Rhyvirand,” he said. “He will inform the queen that Wilhelm can no longer fulfill his duties as king. I made him my new advisor.”
Isbet buttered a biscuit and drizzled a bit of honey on top. “You will continue to rule Rhyvirand?”
“For now,” Bram said. “I cannot leave its people without a king.” He picked up a strawberry from a small bowl on the tray, took a bite, and chewed. “I have asked Captain Maive to search out any relation of the old king and queen. They would be the true heirs.”
Isbet nodded, taking a welcome sip of hot coffee. “Where is Wilhelm?”
“We were right to assume he couldn’t enter sacred ground. We tried to bring him into the cathedral, but he started screaming so we returned him outside, guarded by the dogs.”
“And you have the Box?”
“I want you to have it,” Bram said. “It belongs to you.”
“Thank you,” Isbet said. “Do not concern yourself with Wilhelm’s punishment.”
“I thought you may wish to deal with him,” Bram said. “He is yours.”
Isbet nodded, then asked, “And what of Avynne? Will Seth stay here?”
Bram smiled with affection. “He refuses to leave either of us, so….” Bram hesitated. “I have sent a message to his uncle, leaving it up to him who he wishes to rule Avynne until Seth comes of age.” Bram moistened his lips. “You will stay, won’t you? Stay and continue his teaching?”
“I have already promised him.”
“I could use your counsel.” Bram didn’t meet her eyes.
“Only my counsel?” Isbet tilted her head to the side.
“You wouldn’t have to do anything else.” Bram’s voice was soft. “As I have asked of you before, just stay with me, Isbet.”
“I will.” Isbet took his hand. “You didn’t doubt, did you?”
He grinned. “Of course not.”
* * *
Isbet struck the tinder in the Box. One, two, three times, and the dogs, silent and still, awaited her commands.
Bram and Seth were there. Seth had refused to let Isbet out of his sight, although he knew enough about the world not to make himself a nuisance when she and Bram were together. The boy had become proficient at making himself scarce at the most appropriate times.
The Patriarch, Coline, and Aune stood on the cathedral steps. They had deferred Wilhelm’s punishment to her. The dwarves had gathered there. They too wanted to see what punishment Isbet would mete out. The soldiers from Chira had arrived the day before. They returned home, laden with gifts, messages, and kind wishes from the Patriarch. Bram and Isbet were to visit Chira again as there was much to discuss. They would visit Underneath while there to tell Calla of Serval and decide what they should do if he appeared again.
The Dhar and Dharina agreed to journey to Tamrath. There were things that needed settling and a new alliance to forge.
Bram had brought the Box to her earlier that day. As he handed it to her, he said, “Isbet, do you suppose…I mean, do you believe Serval is alive?”
Isbet nodded. “Yes.” She had to be honest with him. “Or at the very least he is still in this realm as the Rot consumed his soul. We, or someone else, may have to deal with him again.”
They spoke no more of Serval after that.
Isbet walked to where Wilhelm sat in front of a small, tattered tent. He never partook of the food and drink given to him. He rested his head on his chest but when Isbet approached, he lifted his gaze to her. His eyes were still black, and his face streaked with dried, oily tears.
He looked much older than he had as the many enchantments he had placed on himself began to fade when he could not renew them. He was nothing more than a pathetic old man.
“Wilhelm, do you recognize me?”
He nodded.
“And do you recall the old woman from whom you stole this Box?”
At first, he made no movement. Isbet could well imagine him searching his old memories. Wilhelm nodded again.
“She was my life. Someone I cared for. Someone I loved,” Isbet said. “You sought all these years for love and companionship and in doing so, to feed your selfish needs, you took away people who mattered most to someone. My grandmother, Bram’s father, and Seth, his people. So….” Grasping the Tinderbox, she stepped back. “I will let them decide your fate.”
The first real emotion flickered across Wilhelm’s face.
“Heed my command,” Isbet said. “Open the veil. The True Veil. Let those he destroyed come and judge him.”
The dogs raised their shaggy heads and howled all at once. Isbet stepped nearer to Bram and felt him shudder at the sound, but to Isbet it was such a familiar thing that it caused her no bother.
There was the sound and the feel of the earth trembling once again, but it was only where the dogs stood.
“Are those the dwarves?” Bram asked.
“No.” Isbet nodded and the ground before them buckled and rose into a mound of rocks. A hole opened in its midst, torn by invisible hands. Though invisible to Bram, out came the wraiths, all of those who had died at Wilhelm’s hands. There standing in judgment were Bram’s father, her grandmother, the soldiers, the people. They came and pointed accusing fingers at Wilhelm. They surrounded Bram’s father with a holy fire, making him the most fearsome of them all. The Triune stood behind him.
Wilhelm’s mouth opened in a silent scream. He struggled to his feet but stumbled and fell to his knees. “No, please!”
“I see nothing,” Bram said. “What is he afraid of?”
“Be glad you don’t see,” was Isbet’s answer.
Wilhelm half crawled, half stumbled over to where Isbet and Bram stood. He reached up a hand as though to grab on to Isbet’s blouse, but Bram stepped forward and slapped it away.
“Bram – son – please – they want to take me – don’t let them take me—”
Bram shook his head. “I don’t….” Isbet saw him faltering, pity in his expression. She waited.
“No.” Isbet heard the firm resolve in his voice. “Whatever you are seeing, Wilhelm, it’s what you deserve.”
“But I never meant to hurt you,” Wilhelm said. “I only wanted—”
Isbet took Bram’s hand. “Do not falter. It will give him power again.”
Bram gave a curt nod; his voice was grim. “Go, take your punishment.”
“I won’t!” Wilhelm sounded like a petulant child. “You can’t force this fate upon me.”
“Go, Wilhelm, or let the dogs take you,” Isbet said. She could see what Wilhelm saw. Not only the wraiths but also what they had in store for Wilhelm. He would suffer in torment, dragged to the deepest of the nether-hells. Isbet turned away. “Well?”
Wilhelm opened his mouth as though to voice one last protest. The blackness drained from his eyes in the form of more tears. Even the Rot had forsaken him. It had no use for Wilhelm now. She could see the resignation and the way his shoulders fell. Wilhelm climbed to his feet, his face without expression as he turned and began to walk.
“Will the dogs go too?” Seth spoke up.
Isbet had known of his presence but she had shielded him from the sight beyond the veil. “No. They will come back and then return to their true home.”
Seth walked forward.
“Seth, no!” Bram moved to stop him.
“It’s all right.” Isbet put her arm across his chest. “Watch.”
Seth called to the dogs and they came to him like obedient pups. All three towered over him but he petted them on their powerful forelegs and they lay at his feet. He ruffled their shaggy manes and scratched each behind the ears. The smallest licked him on the face, hands, and arms.
After a time, the dogs moved away, and Seth took his place beside Isbet. Wilhelm hesitated, looked back one last time. Isbet wasn’t certain if it was to plead for mercy or if he was taking one last look at the living world that he would never see again. Then he disappeared behind the blackness of the cave. Isbet saw the wraiths crowd in behind him, shielding him from her view. The veil closed and the mound of earth sank until it once again became part of the soil.
* * *
“Will you be gone long?” Bram asked. They stood on the balcony, the same one where he’d often had discussions with Wilhelm at the palatial estate of Rhyvirand.
Isbet looked out at the land that Bram now ruled as prince regent. “Until next season. I will introduce Seth to those who taught me. When he is older, I will take him back again. Soon he will receive a reward as I received Gaemyr to prove his prowess with the Gift.”
Bram framed her face with his hands. “Try to come back before the season changes.”
There was a polite clearing of the throat and they turned to find Rajan at the door. “Highness, we have settled the queen in her new home.”
“Very well. Thank you for handling it, Rajan.” His new advisor was performing his duties well. They’d developed, if not a friendship, at least a mutual respect.
When they told the queen about Wilhelm, it seemed it made little difference to her as long as she had her wealth and her lovers. Bram didn’t want her influence on the estate, so he agreed to construct a private manor for her in the country outside of Faircliff, consigning the princess back to her copper castle. Bram provided her with a nice monthly allowance, which was very pleasing to her.
The people accepted him as their ruler. Bram never realized that he’d gained quite a good reputation with them, and that there had been some talk among various factions regarding Bram seizing control of the kingdom. Now it was a moot point but the people were satisfied.
Bram would rule well while Isbet was away and when she returned – well, Isbet had her own plans in mind for that. She’d taken some time to locate a necromancer to repair the veils within the estate. The woman had advised them it would be a long and arduous process and it was likely she would need to call in help. Bram advised her to do whatever she needed to do, and he would supply her with everything she needed.
* * *
Isbet and Seth started their journey early in the morning, about two weeks after the battle. They would ride the best horses from the estate stables and bring a pack mule laden with supplies. Before they left, Seth squeezed Bram right around his middle. The boy had grown some inches. “Make me proud,” Bram said.
“I will,” Seth replied as Bram lifted him up onto his horse.
Bram turned to Isbet, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her with abandon. “Take care. Come back to me soon, my Lady Witch.”
“Of course.” Isbet mounted. “Fare thee well, my prince. We will return home soon.” They rode through the estate gates and into the sleeping city.
“Please tell me you’ll stay out of trouble this trip,” Gaemyr said.
Seth giggled and raised his hand to his mouth to stifle it.
“Oh, hush up,” Isbet said.
Gaemyr did not hush, as they left the city and crossed the farmlands. At one point, Isbet sang a bawdy song Gaemyr was fond of, and he belted it out in his off-key voice. Seth was blushing through the whole thing.
They stopped at Wicayth and spoke with Magistrate Edolin. Isbet told him of the happenings in Faircliff. He nodded as she completed her tale. Isbet had a sense he’d been expecting something of that nature to happen.
One last stop before their journey began.
The tree was there in all its majesty and would be there still when she returned. Seth did not question her as they stopped, and Isbet slid off her horse and removed the Tinderbox from her pack. With the Box under her arm and Gaemyr in her free hand, Isbet approached the long split in the trunk of the tree.
She called on the Vine again, entwining many offshoots in a crude staircase, which she used to descend into the depths of the tree. Her steps were familiar as she returned the Box to its rightful place, and without her having to command them, the dogs returned as well. Isbet stood, drinking in the familiar sights, and then she said to them, “Let no one take you again but me and my folk. Let no one take the Box from its place. Let it be hidden until I come for it.”
The three bowed their shaggy heads and, as Seth had done, she approached them each, ruffling their bristling fur, and burying her face in it, inhaling scents just as familiar. Then Isbet stepped back and gave each of them a nod, and they stared at her with strange eyes that told her much.
Isbet ascended aboveground. She used her Gift and laid a hand on the great tree. The Vines wove themselves across the opening, hiding it from prying eyes. Isbet mounted.
“For now, we are finished,” Gaemyr said.
Isbet nodded again. “All right, Seth. It’s time to go.”
Epilogue
Three months later
Bram had taken to walking out on the balcony every morning since receiving the letter from Isbet that they were on their way home. Since Isbet hadn’t revealed where they’d gone, he couldn’t guess how long that would take, but Bram made certain to check. He wanted to see them first. Not find out later that they’d arrived.
