Christopher Stasheff - The Warlock Unlocked

But the scheming did dissipate the adrenalin; that, and maybe some spillover from Gwen’s comforting of Gregory. He began to feel more relaxed. Then he glanced at his sleeping children, and let the warmth and security of the family seep in to calm him. He put his arm around Gwen, resting his cheek on her head.

“ ‘Tis faded,” she murmured. “Yet I think I left him comforted.”

“Me, too. You seem to have a wonderful effect on males.”

Gwen smiled. “I would thou hadst thought of that ere we left the village.”

Rod frowned. “Why?”

“For that we could ha’ stayed the night there—and mayhap found a chamber to ourselves.” She looked up at him, eyes wide; and he felt himself being drawn down into them, down, down… He let himself go, but only as far as her lips. Still, it was a very long, and very satisfying, kiss.

Unfortunately, it was also very stimulating.

He pulled himself out of the kiss with a sigh. “Well, when we find Lord Kern, maybe he’ll spare us a room for the night—alone.”

“Aye.” She smiled sadly. “Till then, we must needs bide in patience.” She let go, and lay back, rolling her blanket around her. “Good night, husband—and wake me if thine eyelids droop.”

He’d rather have waked for other reasons, but he only said, “I will. ‘Night, love,” and caressed her hair.

She smiled contentedly, and wriggled under his touch, then lay still.

The whole night was still. He sat beside the dwindling fire, watching the woods and thinking long thoughts. When the moon had set, he woke Father Al, and rolled up in his own blanket.

Then a small earthquake rocked him. He looked up blearily, frowning; he’d just managed to doze off…

“Lord Gallowglass, we’ve got company,” Father Al informed him, “and it wishes to speak to you.”

“ ‘It?’ ” Rod scrambled out of his blanket.

“Yes. In fact, it ducked back down under water at sight of me; it just barely had time to call for ‘the wizard.’ ”

“I thought there were supposed to be fewer interruptions, at night.” Rod glanced toward the east. “Hm. Not all that much ‘night’ any more, is it? Well, I’ll take the call.” He went over to the stream, and called out, “This is the wizard speaking.”

A splash, and a gush of water, and a great, green, round head on a huge pair of shoulders, with a red cocked hat on its head (a feather in it, yet!) popped out of the stream. It was covered with scales; its nose was long, sharp, and red at the tip; it had little pig’s eyes, and was covered with green scales. It held up a webbed hand, and grinned. “Good morn to thee, wizard!”

Rod squeezed his eyes shut and gave his head a shake, then looked up again. “Uh—good morning.”

“Aye, I’m real.” The water-man grinned. “Thou’st never seen a Merrow afore?”

“ ‘Fraid not, I wasn’t quite ready for it. Uh—don’t you find that stream a little confining?”

“Aye, but we go where we must. I am sent with word for thee.”

“What word?”

“Word of the Redcap thou’st routed from the Tower of Gonkroma.”

Rod shuddered. “I’m not really interested in where that critter is, thank you.”

“Then thou’st wish to know where it ha’ been—or so says the Grand Duchess.” The Merrow rolled an eye at him. “The fellow appeared out of nowhere, struck away guards, and stole a yearling child away.”

Rod stared, electrified.

Gwen rolled over and sat up sleepily. “What moves, husband?” Then she caught sight of the Merrow; her eyes widened.

So did his, and his grin turned toward a leer.

“Good morrow,” Gwen said graciously.

“No, good Merrow,” Rod corrected. “At least, he’d better be.” He let his hand rest on his dagger-hilt.

The Merrow held up both webbed hands and bowed its head. “Ha’ no fear o’ me. I am nothing if not willing, and seek nought else in return. I only seek to discharge my message, nought more.”

“What message?” Gwen frowned up at Rod.

“It seems Redcap wanted revenge,” Rod said slowly. “He’s stolen an infant, and disappeared.”

Gwen gasped.

“I know,” Rod said grimly, “but we’ve got to get home; we’ve lost enough time playing Good Samaritans. I mean, I feel sorry for the kid and its parents, but…” He ran down under Gwen’s glare.

“Be shamed,” she said severely. “The child would rest securely, had we not routed Redcap.” She turned to the Merrow. “Who sent thee?”

“The Grand Duchess.”

“Then tell her we will seek out Redcap, and have the child back.”

The Merrow looked questioningly at Rod.

“All right, all right!” Rod threw up his hands. “I know when I’m beaten, between you and my conscience! Might be the same thing, come to think of it… All right, Monsieur. We’ll do it. And if I know the Grand Duchess, she’s got thorough information about the specifics. Who’s the child?”

“Whose? Why, Lord Kern’s, of course.”

Rod and Gwen both stared.

Then Rod said slowly, “Does Duke Foidin know about this?”

“Aye. A troop of his men doth race hotfoot to seize the child—though, knowing Redcap’s repute, I misdoubt me that they make quite so much speed as they might.”

“I don’t blame ‘em,” Rod said grimly. “But if they succeed, Foidin will have the best hostage he could hope for. He might even be able to make Kern surrender. Who told Foidin about the kidnapping?”

“Eorl Theofrin, who knew from a gazing-crystal, belike.”

“Theofrin?” Rod frowned. “Why would he suddenly be helping the Duke?”

“For the enmity he bears thee.” The Merrow grinned.

Rod just watched him for a minute, trying to figure it out. Then he gave up. “All right, I’ll ask the obvious question: How does telling Foidin about the kidnapping help Theofrin hurt me ?”

The Merrow spread his hands. “I know not, milord.”

“ ‘Tis a trap, mine husband,” Gwen said softly.

Rod nodded. “They must be figuring we’ll run to the kid’s rescue—and they’re right. Then the troops come in, and capture the kid with us. Well, I think we can have a little surprise waiting for them.”

“But do we guess aright?”

“We’ll know when we get there.” Rod slapped his scabbard. “If we see a battle in progress when we get there, we’ve guessed wrong—in which case, we’ll puzzle it out later. Did the Grand Duchess say where Redcap’s hiding?”

“Aye.” The Merrow nodded. “He ha’ found an auld tower, at Dun Kap Weir.”

“Yonder.” Elidor pointed down at a ruined tower atop a mound in the middle of a plain. “ ‘Tis Dun Kap Weir. Foul deeds were done there, long years ago.”

“Of course.” Rod smiled sardonically. “What other kind of lair would Redcap choose? I don’t like this coming east again, back into the Duke’s country.”

“We are warned against his troops,” Gwen reminded him. “Hai! They are there!”

Rod peered down over her shoulder, at a battle raging in front of the tower. A dozen foot soldiers fought frantically, shouting, pikes flashing in the early sunlight. Underneath their clamor was roaring.

“I guess they weren’t planning to ambush us,” Rod mused.

Suddenly, two men went flying. They hit twenty feet downslope and lay still, among a score of their fellows.

“What a fighter!” Rod shook his head in admiration. “Redcap against thirty soldiers, alone! Too bad he’s on the wrong side…”

“Do not think of converting him,” Gwen said grimly.

Five more soldiers went flying. The rest drew back, leaving an open half-circle; for a moment, the stunted ogre stood at bay, facing his enemies.