Black wizards - Douglas Niles [39]
"Shut up!" barked the prince, then looked a bit sheepish. "Uh, thanks… you know, for helping me out in there."
The lord looked surprised but offered no argument. Instead he climbed unsteadily to his feet.
The castle was beginning to sink. Already water was pouring through the gate. They had left the outer portal down after entering, and the seawater now rushed into the courtyard through the wide opening. They stood upon the balcony outside the keep, five steps up from the courtyard itself, and watched the water slowly climb the stairs.
"There's no way we can fight the current through the gate," said Daryth. "We might as well wait until it comes over the walls and hope that we can float out. Here, fill this with air," said Daryth, handing each of them a leather sack. "This is how we'll float."
Skeptically, Tristan took the bag and blew a lungful of air into it. The bag barely puffed out. Again and again, he breathed enough air to fill the bag several times over.
"It has a leak," he said, looking quickly at the rising water.
Daryth blew into his bag. "That's what I thought at first. But they're holding all the air we've blown into them."
"How?" said Tristan, looking at the limp sack.
"These are magical bags. I found them in the castle treasure room. They will hold a lot more than their size would indicate. Now, keep blowing!"
Still doubtful, they nonetheless continued trying to inflate the bags. Slowly, Tristan's began to grow, and finally it was reasonably firm. Daryth took a length of twine from his beltpouch and lashed the three sacks together, tightening the line about the mouths of the bags.
In another minute the water had reached the level of the balcony. Soon they stood waist-deep in water.
The bags rose beside them as the water lifted them off the ground, and Tristan was surprised at how bouyant they were. Soon the men were carried from their feet, but they floated easily into the courtyard. They were even able to support Canthus with their makeshift floats.
The water inside the courtyard was within six feet of the top of the wall when seawater poured over the ramparts. Crushing waves now roiled around them, threatening to tear the bags from their grip. Desperately holding on, Tristan tried to see if Canthus was still with them, but he lost sight of everything but the bag under his hands and the water. As more of the sea poured into the courtyard, the surface slowly calmed, and Tristan was relieved to see that Canthus, Daryth, and Pontswain were still hanging on. In no time, they were floating easily again.
"Still no sign of a sail," said Daryth. "I guess this puts us about where we were this morning."
"Not exactly," said Tristan. "I've got the Sword of Cymrych Hugh again!"
He debated telling them of the prophecy of the dead queen. But a look at Pontswain's suspicious face told him he should not. Perhaps later he would tell Daryth.
* * * * *
"Master, we must discuss a problem."
"Must we discuss it now, Kryphon? I am very tired. His Majesty was most petulant today."
Cyndre turned from the mirror to regard Kryphon. The master of the council had been gazing at an undersea setting. Kryphon watched the greenish image of a pale, luminescent city slowly fade from sight. He saw several fishlike figures, carrying weapons, drift lazily past the mirror before the picture disappeared.
"It could have the gravest consequences for us all, master." Kryphon spoke in a rush. "Alexei has been disloyal."
"You would condemn a brother wizard, Kryphon? I am surprised at you."
"The charge is justified! He tried to convince Doric that you have been manipulated by the cleric. Fortunately, she spoke to me immediately after the discussion. I wasted no time in seeking you!"
"Are you certain of this? Is Doric telling the truth?"
Kryphon nodded vigorously. "I placed her under a charm spell as she spoke, and she told me the truth. She would have babbled all night if I hadn't finally put her