Black wizards - Douglas Niles [73]
"Do not move, strangers," said a voice from the darkness. The voice was strong, filled with the authority of command.
Tristan's eyes finally adjusted to the brightness enough that he could make out forms moving toward them from all sides. He saw men, armed with the largest longbows he had ever seen, in a circle around them. He counted several dozen with his first glance, and he saw that each member of his party was in the sights of a weapon.
The prince hauled back on his reins, searching for escape, but the ring of archers was solid – and very menacing. There was something frightening in the lack of emotion he detected among them, as if this was simply in a day's work.
Yes, he realized now, they were captives once again.
* * * * *
"The Black Rock is gone," said Newt miserably. Yazilliclick nodded in agreement. "Somebody must have taken it! This is all my fault!" The faerie dragon was on the verge of tears. His wings drooped miserably when he landed on the bench, returning from the mission Genna had given him.
"You helped us very much by removing it from the grove," said Genna. "You are not to blame for the evil that has befallen us.
Robyn stroked Newt's head and long neck, surprised at his contrition. She had never seen the faerie dragon expressing anything approaching remorse before.
"Now," continued Genna, addressing the creatures that had gathered before her cottage. "You must all listen very carefully." Around her were arrayed Kamerynn the unicorn, the great brown bear Grunt, and a hundred or more of the animals – the strongest and wisest from among the teeming throngs.
The Great Druid sought to calm the fears and soothe the tensions of the gathered wild creatures. She needed them to remain peaceful throughout the night, for she and Robyn would not be able to watch them. Finally she finished, and the animals drifted away to rejoin their kind.
"Now Newt, Yazilliclick," said the Great Druid. "I must ask you to care for the grove while we're gone. The other druids should be arriving soon; you must tell them where we have gone. Will you do this?"
The sprite nodded.
"Can't I come along?" pleaded Newt. "You will get into -"
"We need you here," soothed Robyn. "You must help us."
"I will," said the faerie dragon with a resigned sigh. He darted to Kamerynn's horn and looked away from them.
"Now, my dear, it is time," Genna said quietly, turning to Robyn. The two druids entered the cottage. There, Genna opened several clay jars and removed pieces of holly and mistletoe. Robyn picked up her long staff – the legacy of her mother. She handled the smooth ashwood staff reverently, grateful for the potent magic it contained. It alone provided her a weapon that might slow the unnatural army approaching through the Vale.
"Come along." Her teacher walked outside again, with Robyn following. They crossed the now-silent grove to its heart – a sacred place where even the animals did not go. Here the Moonwell illuminated the surrounding ring of stone columns with a soft, milky glow. Here the power of the goddess was most accessible to her druids.
"Woman, you must concentrate like you never have before. You must realize that your youth and lack of experience make this even more dangerous than it must be."
"I understand, teacher," said Robyn solemnly.
"I would not even allow you to consider this action, were it not for our dire emergency. And I admit, the fact that you have displayed an inherent talent gives me some reassurance that you are capable of this feat.
"Now, hold your staff, and listen to me."
Robyn planted the staff at her side, grasping it firmly in her right hand. She heard Genna whisper something – private words to the goddess.
"Remember your lessons," intoned the Great Druid, her voice taking on the cadence of a chant. "Remember the bright eyes. Remember the long, light bones – and the feathers. Think of the beak and the claws, so hard. Concentrate!"
Robyn remembered well. She pictured the powerful bird upon her teacher's lap, and she saw every detail