Patricia Wrede - Searching for Dragons

"Wait a minute? Cimorene said, her voice rising above startled objections from everyone else. "You're not going without me."

"But-" "I am Kazul's Chief Cook and Librarian," Cimorene said firmly.

"It's my job to help rescue her."

"I suppose so," Mendanbar said, "but all I'm going to do is sneak in and look at the wizards, and then sneak out again."

"That's all you think you're going to do, but what if something goes wrong?"

"Exactly," Morwen said. "You should have someone with you. Several someones, in fact."

"I'm real good at sneaking," Crown Prince Jorillam put in eagerly.

"And I want to see a dragon up close."

"No, you don't," Mendanbar said. "Morwen, are you trying to tell me you want to come along as well?"

"No," Morwen said, looking at him sternly over the tops of her glasses.

"I'm telling you I'm going to come whether you like it or not. Kazul is my friend, and besides, I want a crack at those wretched wizards."

"We aren't going to do anything to the wizards until we know more about what we're up against," Mendanbar said, feeling harried.

"Then how come you wanted those buckets of soapy water?" Crown Prince Jorillam demanded.

'Just in case," Mendanbar said. "This is only to find out what the wizards are doing and how many of them there are."

"Which is precisely why I must accompany you," Telemain put in.

"Not you, too!"

Telemain frowned at him. "You don't seem to realize what a priceless opportunity this is," the magician said. "It is entirely possible that we shall be able to observe the Society of Wizards in the very act of casting their magic-absorbing spells. Since they are extremely secretive about their methods, this may be the only chance we have of studying their techniques."

"It isn't worth the risk," Mendanbar said.

"Not to you, perhaps," Telemain told him. "I, however, intend to take full advantage of these circumstances. One way or another, I am going to get a look at those wizards." He leaned the wizard's staff against the wall and folded his arms stubbornly.

"Yeah, and then we melt them!" Crown Prince Jorillam said enthusiastically.

"You are not coming with us," Mendanbar told him.

"But I'm real, real good at sneaking," Jorillam said. "Tell them, Uncle!"

"He is," Prince Rupert said earnestly. "And I'll keep an eye on him so he won't get in your way."

Mendanbar stared at him. "No, you won't. Because you aren't coming with me, either. I am going to sneak into the Cave of Stone Icicles by myself" "No, you're not," said everyone at once. Morwen's two cats glanced up, then went back to washing their tails. Mendanbar got the distinct impression that the only reason they hadn't joined in the general outcry was that they thought it was beneath them to argue.

"It is inappropriate for the King of the Enchanted Forest to embark on a mission to the King of the Dragons without a formal escort," Willin added.

"You want me to take all these people along as a formal escort?"

Mendanbar said incredulously. "Really, Willin-" "Not at all," the elf replied. "They are all persons of distinction, and it would not be suitable for any of them to take a position as a formal escort to Your Majesty. Properly, only those of your subjects already in Your Majesty's employ may make up such a retinue. Due to Your Majesty's general dislike of formality, we have very few such persons available at present."

"What are you suggesting?" Mendanbar asked with a sinking feeling.

"That I am the only possible person who can accompany Your Majesty in this capacity," Willin said.

"If he gets to go, so do I!" Crown Prince Jorillam cried.

"Not without me," Prince Rupert said, setting his jaw. "I don't know anything about this business with the dragons and wizards, but Jorillam is my responsibility. Until I lose him in the forest, that is."

"And Kazul is my responsibility," Cimorene said.

"Like it or not, I am going to get a look at those spells," Telemain stated flatly.

"Those wizards have caused me a lot of trouble, what with one thing and another," Morwen pointed out. "I intend to cause them a bit of trouble back."

"It is necessary to Your Majesty's dignity that Your Majesty take a proper escort with you," Willin put in.

"Quiet!" Mendanbar said.

Everyone stopped talking. Willin looked utterly astonished. Jorillam had a wary expression, and Prince Rupert and Telemain both looked mildly taken aback. Morwen's eyes gleamed approvingly behind her glasses.

Cimorene looked momentarily startled, but then she smiled.

Mendanbar took a deep breath. First things first. "Crown Prince Jorillam."

"Yes?"

"You are not coming on this expedition. You will stay here, at my castle, until I return. In the dungeon, just as you requested."

"But it's not fair," Jorillam said. "I didn't know then that you were going to go fight wizards. And that elf-" "Willin is one of my people, and a native of the Enchanted Forest," Mendanbar said. "You aren't.

Don't bother arguing; you don't get a choice.

I'm the King here, remember."

Jorillam gave him a sulky nod.

"Prince Rupert," Mendanbar went on, "you were quite right to say that your nephew needs watching. You will stay here and keep an eye on him while I'm gone."

"Certainly, Your Majesty," Prince Rupert said with a relieved sigh.

"If you say so."

"I'm afraid I can't bring you with me, either, Willin," Mendanbar said, turning to his steward. "Somebody has to take care of our visitors, you know, and you're the only possible person."

Willin hesitated, plainly torn. "It is my duty to serve Your Majesty regardless of the danger."

"I appreciate your willingness to accompany me," Mendanbar assured him.

"I feel, however, that you would serve me better here. Now, please take these two guests to the North-Northwest Tower dungeon and see that they get some refreshments."

"As Your Majesty commands," Willin said, bowing. He gestured to Prince Rupert and Crown Prince Jorillam, and led them away.

Well, that takes care of them, anyway, Mendanbar thought as the three rounded a bend in the corridor and vanished from sight. The rest wouldn't be that easy. He looked over and saw Morwen, Cimorene, and Telemain standing side by side, wearing identical expressions of stubbornness, and he sighed. He supposed he could accidentally-on-purpose forget to include them in the transportation spell, but somehow he didn't think that would stop them. Not when one was a witch, one a magician, and one an experienced dragon's princess.

"Don't even bother trying to talk us out of it," Cimorene warned.

"You'll only waste more time."

"You're probably right," Mendanbar said at last. "And anyway, I suspect I really should have some help with me, just in case."

"Very sensible of you," Morwen told him.

"Yes, well, let's get our buckets and go," Mendanbar said uncomfortably.

The four of them collected buckets of soapy water from the imperturbable castle footman. Cimorene and Telemain took two each, but Mendanbar only took one, because he wanted to keep one hand free in case he needed his sword. Morwen also took only one bucket. She did not explain, and her expression dared anyone to comment. No one did.

The footman left, removing Telemain's staff along the way. "Be sure you put that somewhere safe," Telemain called after him.

Mendanbar looked around one last time, checking to make sure everyone was finally ready, then twitched the strands of power and transported them all to the foot of the Crystal Falls.

They appeared on the slippery bank of a narrow stream. A little farther on, the Crystal Falls poured in a shining curtain down the side of a sheer cliff of black glass. The water foamed and swirled at the foot of the falls, forming a small, restless pool, then rushed down the channel at their feet and dashed on into the deeper parts of the Enchanted Forest . The noise of the falling water was tremendous, and the air had a clean, sharp smell.