Crypt of the shadowking - Mark Anthony [76]
Caledan clenched his jaw, not looking at Morhion. The Harper moaned in the enchanted slumber the mage had cast upon her, her hands clutching at the bedsheets. "All right, mage, do what you must." If you harm her… Caledan almost said, but he swallowed the words.
Morhion drew a small pouch from the pocket of his gray robe. He removed a dried leaf from the pouch, then opened the Harper's mouth, placing the leaf beneath her tongue.
Caledan looked worriedly at Estah, but the halfling shook her head. She had no idea what the mage was doing. They would have to trust him.
Morhion rummaged in his pack until he found a flask of wine. He dipped his finger into the flask, then let three ruby-colored drops fall onto Mari's brow. As the third drop fell he spoke several eerie, flowing words of magic. Suddenly the Harper cried out in pain.
"You're hurting her!" Caledan cried, grabbing the mage's arm, but Morhion shook off Caledan's grip.
"Madrak ul madrakell" the mage intoned, and Mari's eyes flew open. They were wide with confusion, but glimmering with life.
"What… what happened?" the Harper said weakly. She frowned and spit out the bitter-tasting leaf. She looked at the mage and Caledan in puzzlement.
Estah shook her head ever so slightly. The others exchanged meaningful looks. This incident was something Mari need never know of.
"We're not sure," Caledan told Mari. "The mage thinks there might be a sorcerer outside the inn, someone who means to do us ill. Whatever he was doing was making you… uh, sick. But the mage's spell took care of that."
Mari nodded weakly. "Thank you," she said to Morhion, but the mage had already turned to gather his things.
"We must leave here immediately," Morhion said, and for once Caledan agreed with him.
In minutes the companions were packed and ready to leave. Mari still looked a bit drawn, but she was standing firmly. "Can you make it?" Caledan asked.
She nodded, her face grim.
They found Brandebar in his nightshirt in the common room, a look of concern on his face. "What is it?" he asked.
"We've got to go, Brandebar," Caledan told the innkeep.
"I want you to lock the door behind us. Don't open it again until daylight Do you understand?"
"Is there someone out there who means you harm, milord?" Brandebar asked.
Caledan hesitated. "I believe so."
"Then I think you should follow me." The innkeep beckoned for them to go into the kitchen. Caledan looked at the others and then followed. In the corner of the kitchen Bran-debar pulled up a wooden trapdoor. Caledan could see a ladder leading down into shadows.
"It's a tunnel leading to the stables. Winters are bitter here, and I dug this one year so I could see to the horses without having to venture outside."
Caledan grinned. "Brandebar, we owe you a debt."
"You've paid me quite enough already, milord," the innkeep said, beaming. "I'm just glad I could be of small service to such important folk. Now take care. I expect you to come calling at the inn again one day soon."
They bid Brandebar farewell and then descended, one by one, into the earthen tunnel. It was crowded and damp inside, but after perhaps a hundred yards there was another ladder, this one leading up through a trapdoor in the stable's floor.
When the horses were ready Ferret quietly opened the stable doors, and they rode out into the dark, windswept night. The moon had set; dawn was at least two hours distant. The only light was the faint glow of the stars. They rode north, avoiding the road that led from the village. They had covered half a mile when Ferret pulled his horse up next to Caledan's.
"I don't mean to worry you or anything," the little thief said, "but I thought you might like to know that there are some shadows following us on the hills to our right and left."
"Horsemen?" Caledan asked, and Ferret nodded.
"My