Black wizards - Douglas Niles [45]
"Indeed," said Pontswain. "Moray has always seemed a bleak and barren land. Nothing but sheep and tundra." But the lord sneaked a sideways glance of alarm at Tristan. The prince felt a cold knife snake into his bowels at the news.
"There's a lot more to it than that," said the bard firmly. "But now the land is without a leader, and the mystery is without an answer. It makes for lots of suspicions and arguments."
Tavish paused, looking them over. "The tales out of Snowdown are no better," she continued. "The king disappeared on a hunting trip and has not been heard from since. No one's in charge – the whole kingdom's in an uproar!"
Tristan digested the information with heightened interest. Moray was another of the lands of the Ffolk, nominally under the rule of the High King. And there, as on Corwell, the king had been slain by mysterious assassins, while the last king of the Ffolk – save the High King himself – was missing from Snowdown.
"I'm on my way back home to Alaron," continued Tavish. "Though the prospect doesn't bring the joy it once did."
"Why not?"
Tavish sighed. "There, too, are troubles. The High King seems to fret about a thousand imagined challenges to his throne. Who would imagine that such a worrier would come to wear the crown of the Isles? More than one good and true lord has been locked in the royal dungeon, his lands confiscated simply because the king imagined some cause to fear him."
The bard steered silently for a while as the companions ate and rested. Tristan felt strength seeping back into his weary muscles, but his mind remained agitated. Tavish's information, coupled with the prophecy, created strong doubts in his mind about the High King. When they reached Caer Callidyrr itself, what could they say to a man who feared treachery from every quarter?
"Land!" cried Daryth, spotting a stretch of green on the eastern horizon.
"Take a look at Alaron, fellows!" laughed Tavish. "We'll be lashed to the dock by nightfall!"
The prince's mood of foreboding vanished. "It can't be too soon for me," he remarked with a true sigh of relief.
"I recommend The Diving Dolphin – fine food, good drink, and wonderful music – I'll be there myself, you know."
The men laughed and promised to see the bard at the inn. By this time they were passing the breakwater, and Tristan stood in the prow, eager to get his first look at the island of Alaron. The land was green and pastoral, dotted with white farms and neat stone fences.
The town of Llewellyn was the biggest community Tristan had ever seen. His first impression was of all-encompassing whiteness. Stone walls, plastered buildings, wooden houses – all were painted white. Tavish told him that the town was home to nearly five thousand people.
The sense of wonder remained with him as they glided up to a smooth stone quay, Tavish sprang to the shore, pulling the vessel tightly against the stout wooden bumpers. The passengers climbed out and looked around. Trying hard not to stare, Tristan was embarrassed by his lack of traveling experience. Everything seemed so new!
The dockside at Llewellyn consisted of a large, parklike area of grass, surrounded by a multitude of shops. Cool alehouses quickly awakened Tristan's thirst. He saw vendors of apples, cherries, and more exotic fruits hawking their wares. Hot meat sizzled on a small grill in one place. He saw beads and baubles, crystal goblets, and steel weapons on display in a variety of small, glass-fronted shops. Narrow streets lined with two-story buildings led to the south, north, and east. Several dozen pedestrians, a few horses, and a half-dozen two-wheeled carts were in motion.
"The Dolphin is that way," said Tavish, pointing up the street that led away from the sea. "Go on and settle in. I'll be there before long."
So saying, the bard turned back to her boat. She uttered a single word – Tristan couldn't quite hear what she said – and for a moment it looked as though she had destroyed the vessel. The keel of the boat bent double, as the bow and stern rose to meet each other. The craft, thus raised,