Black wizards - Douglas Niles [123]
Newt and Yazilliclick struggled to protect the druid. The faerie dragon dove among the crows, slashing with his sharp teeth and claws. Yazilliclick darted through the flock, striking with his tiny dagger. But there were too many for them to chase away.
Robyn twisted this way and that, but felt herself slowly driven to the ground. She sensed no escape, and then a sharp beak struck her in the eye. With a shrill cry of pain, she plummeted to the ground and crashed, motionless, in a meadow full of bright red flowers.
* * * * *
"This is the outer perimeter? Evan explained, though Kryphon could see nothing other than the natural forest around them.
"I see." He was amazed at the subtlety of the camouflage.
"Ranks of archers line up all along here," he said proudly, gesturing to a long series of sturdy limbs. "That's my post."
"And here's the town?" asked the mage, as they saw a number of wooden buildings before them. His initial impression was of a small woodland village.
"Just a small part. See the barriers up there in the trees? We can drop those all over to make instant ramparts – hold up an attacker for hours that way"
Kryphon paused, studying the defenses carefully. He began to understand how the king's mercenaries had been repulsed before. The town stretched into the distance all around him. Small blocks of rough wooden buildings stood among a forest of huge oaks.
Doric sidled up behind him as he concentrated, surprising him with an intimate caress. He whirled in rage, but then forced his body to calm. "Why don't you find us a room – two rooms," he said, taking her firmly by the arms. "I want to look around some more. We'll find you later."
"Why don't you come with me?" she whispered, pouting.
"There is work to be done!" he snarled. "Now, go!"
The woman stalked away toward a row of buildings bearing the signs of inns: The Green Meadow, The Raging Boar, and several others.
"Now, this wizard of Doncastle?" Kryphon asked Evan. "Annuwynn, you called him? Where can we find him?"
"He lives in a fine manor near here," said the outlaw. "I shall take you to him."
Several minutes later, they stood before a high thorned hedge. The bushes were entwined about a fence of stout green saplings that created a sturdy and solid barrier. They could not even see through it.
"Meet us at the Raging Boar," said the magic-user, dismissing Evan. The bandit stopped, surprised and dejected, but saw that the wizard had already turned his back. Head hanging, Evan trudged toward the inn.
The wizard and Razfallow stepped into the shelter of a small aspen grove beside Annuwynn's abode.
"Vanyss Dwyre," said Kryphon, quickly fading from view. His voice repeated the phrase, for he had not moved, and Razfallow also became invisible.
The assassin looked around nervously. It disturbed him to hold his hand up and see nothing there. He fought a sickening sense of disorientation as he heard the wizard step past him and saw the branches of the hedge rustle where Kryphon examined them.
"Ariath dupius, cancyck!" chanted the mage, and the trees and thornbushes before him curled out of the way, creating an opening several feet wide. The hedge was thick, but a skilled gardener could not have opened a neater arch.
Kryphon took Razfallow's arm. The two could not see each other, and he wished to remain in silent communication with the assassin.
They stepped through the hole in the hedge and immediately felt warm, humid air press around them. The sun now beamed with a stark intensity. Kryphon noticed a variety of plants. Palm trees bore coconuts high above their heads, and spike-leaved jungle bushes sprouted all around them. Vines hung in thick tendrils from the trees, and brilliant wildflowers blazed everywhere. He heard the chattering of many birds – all tropical varieties that were not indigenous to the