“What do you mean?” asked The Keeper, stalling for time so that he could think clearly.
“Don't play games with me, old man,” replied Maximilian leaning menacingly over the top of a quivering Keeper.
“I might have gone to sleep,” he admitted, “and the visitor might have come into the library.”
“And he just might have found the Spell Book,” said Maximilian mimicking The Keeper. “And then he might have copied one of my spells – and even found a better spell. What do you think of that, old man?”
The Keeper began sobbing. Maximilian knew that he had allowed this stranger to enter the library and given him access to the Spell Book.
“Why did you do it?” he asked.
“Do what?” replied The Keeper, trying to hold out to the last breath.
“Let this 'visitor' look hrough the Spell Book,” said Maximilian. “Your lies are only getting you into deeper trouble.”
The Keeper realised that the game was up and began weeping uncontrollably.
“I . . . was angry with you,” he snivelled between tears. “You treated me . . . horribly . . .and you . . . took my job . . . away . . . and all because of . . . that little brat of a girl. She caused all the trouble . . ., and you only . . . treated her better every time.”
Maximilian stared down at the pitiful sight. “You have no idea how much heartache you have caused. Your selfishness and nastiness may have cost the lives of many people. Now tell me everything. We may be able to save the situation yet, but only if you tell me exactly what occurred. This is your chance to make up for your stupidity and jealousy.” He put his hand in his pocket and gave The Keeper a handkerchief,
After he had blown his nose loudly into the handkerchief, The Keeper began.
“I haven't been happy for a long time and it was all because of the way you've treated me. When I was contacted by the Shaman, Ekon, and he came here, he listened to my troubles. He told me that he'd heard that you had demoted me and he wanted to help me. He said he didn't like you either. He was very kind to me.”
“And that's why you let him into the library?” Maximilian asked.
“Um, I suppose so,” replied The Keeper, lowering his head. “But I didn't know that he would steal anything.”
“What rot!” exclaimed Maximilian. “There you go, lying again. You'd better be very careful what you say, old man, if you want to keep your skin. Now, what did you let the visitor do?”
The Keeper knew that Maximilian meant every word. “I showed him where the Spell Book was,” he confessed meekly. “And then I left him to it.”
“You old fool,” declared Maximilian. “What you have done is unforgivable. Did this Ekon tell you what he had found?”
“Not really,” stated The Keeper. “He just seemed very happy and thanked me. He did say that he had discovered something valuable and that you would be sorry for the way you have dealt with me.
He'd written something down on a scroll. I didn't ask him what it was.”
“I know what it was but where he found it is a mystery,” declared Maximilian. “This is disastrous.” He looked angrily at the old man. “Come with me,” he ordered him.
They passed through an archway that divided the entry from the main library. The Reading Room stretched for hundreds of metres and the high walls were covered in bookshelves holding hundreds of thousands of volumes. In the centre of the room, surrounded by study desks, stood the Spell Book on a pedestal. It was a massive book, leather bound and musty. Its pages showed the signs of being thumbed through over the centuries, ragged edges and dog-eared. It was over five thousand years old and contained the knowledge and wisdom of countless magicians. It was a priceless possession.
Maximilian immediately went to the Spell Book as The Keeper trailed behind. He opened the book to the freezing spell and read through it. As he had expected and as his memory of the spell had supported, there was no mention of a locking spell. Where could it be, and how had this Shaman, Ekon, discovered it? The only alternative for Maximilian was to plough through the whole Spell Book in the hope of finding something. He could skip those parts that had no relevance – but it would take days.
After almost two days of fruitless searching, poring over the Spell Book and hundreds of other books off the shelves, he gave up. He was worried about Matilda and needed to get back to Frizland as soon as possible in case there was any trouble. However, he knew that finding the locking spell was his only chance of defeating this enemy. The Keeper was once again snoring away at one of the reading desks.
“Wake up, old man,” Maximilian shouted into The Keeper's ear and the old man jumped up into the air. “Unfortunately I haven't found what I'm looking for and I must get back to Frizland. I just don't have any more time to search for the answer. Now that will be your task. You might be able to atone a little for your stupidity if you can find what I'm looking for and contact me as soon as you have it.”
“Oh, yes, Master,” said The Keeper, eagerly. “Anything you wish. I know I can help you.”
Maximilian went on to explain that his freezing spell had been stolen and was being used in revenge attacks. He added that the spell had been locked so that it couldn't be reversed. He needed The Keeper to find the locking spell. It must be hidden somewhere either in the Spell Book or in one of the ancient books on the shelves.
“I'll find it for you, I promise,” said The Keeper, seeing a way of avoiding Maximilian's wrath.
“You'd better,” declared Maximilian, looking down on the old man grimly. “Your future here will depend on it. You can use the elf, Husan, to pass on the information by telepathy – but don't tell him what it is about. He’s almost as untrustworthy as you.”
“Yes, Master, I understand,” responded The Keeper.
“Now, get started,” ordered Maximilian, pointing to the Spell Book. “And don't go back to sleep until you've found what I want. Understand?”
“Yes, Master, yes,” said The Keeper, thinking how lucky he was to be still standing there, “I'll work day and night for you.”
As The Keeper walked over to the Spell Book, Maximilian waved his arms and disappeared in a cloud of smoke and a flash of light. He felt that he had been away from Frizland for too long and, unbeknownst to him, in that time things had changed.
Chapter 23
The League's Cave
Making his escape from the Ice Palace, Rashi had headed into the Drakespearian mountains where the League of Shamans had their hideaway in one of the many caves that had been chiselled out of the mountains by previous generations. The mountain horses were sure-footed as they pulled the sleigh up a rocky and snowy slope until they reached the entrance to the cave which was hidden behind a grove of fir trees. Ekon, Malak and Alwan were waiting for him as Rashi alighted from the sleigh.
“Why have you come here now?” asked a surprised Ekon.
“I barely escaped in time,” Rashi explained. “I think Maximilian is onto me and I don't think it would have been long before I would have ended up in the dungeon.”
“I knew it was a mistake to involve Maximilian,” stormed Ekon, “but you had to have your way, didn't you? Now we have nobody in the palace to watch the Ice Queen's movements.”
Rashi had no answer to his leader's criticism. “You're right,” he agreed, “ I shouldn't have suggested inviting Maximilian but it seemed a good idea at the time . . . to add to the Ice Queen's humiliation. However, as far as having somebody on our side in the palace is concerned, I still have a guard who shares our view of events.”
“Who is that?” asked Ekon.
“The Leader of the Guards called Fizzcrank,” said Rashi.
“Are you sure we can we trust him?” said Malak.
“Of course,” answered Rashi. “He despises the Ice Queen and shares our desire to seek revenge for what he witnessed during The War of Tears. And, as a Leader, he has access to all areas of the palace.”
“That will be very useful,” agreed Ekon. “Come, let's get
out of the cold. We have a great deal to discuss.”
The foursome proceeded into the cave. It had been dug far into the mountain and the passages running off from the entrance area contained a multitude of rooms. At the front, a thick wooden wall with a door kept the weather out. It was very comfortable, with a huge fire in the entrance area, the smoke funnelled outside by a secret chimney that hid the fumes from anybody outside. Twenty troll servants looked after the four Shamans.
Ekon led them to one of the rooms, which was set out with wooden chairs and low tables.
“We have to figure out a way to get rid of Maximilian,” said Malak, when they were all seated.
“And that little imp he has with him,” added Rashi.
“M-m-m, yes, I'd forgotten about her,” commented Ekon thoughtfully. “She may be the answer to our problem.” The others looked at him in expectation.
“How?” asked Alwan.
“Do you think you can get a message to this spy of yours, er . . . Fizzywhats?” Ekon asked Rashi.
“Fizzcrank,” Rashi corrected him. “Of course. We could send one of the servant trolls. Another troll wouldn't be noticed.”
“Good,” said Ekon. “We have to know when Maximilian and the little girl are separated. I think the way to neutralise Maximilian is through the girl. If we have her, we have him. Fetch a trustworthy troll, Alwan.”
When Alwan returned with a troll servant called Firetree, Ekon explained what had to be done. Firetree was to travel to the palace and ask for Fizzcrank. He was to tell him that the League of Shamans needed to know when the little girl was separated from Maximilian. The plan was to use her to halt Maximilian's interference. Fizzcrank was to contact them as soon as he had any news.
They soon learnt that there was no need to wait for a message from Fizzcrank. When Firetree returned from his mission he told Ekon that Maximilian had already left and the little girl, Matilda, was alone. He was quickly sent back to the Ice Palace with another instruction for Fizzcrank.
Chapter 24
Matilda's Mistake
While Maximilian was away, Matilda decided to continue her study of the history of Frizland in the entrance chamber. It was a fascinating way to pass the time until Maximilian's return. The day after he had left, she was reading the details of a conflict called The Battle of the Gensik Fjord, involving Frizland's naval fleet when a troll guard approached her.
“Excuse me, Miss,” he said. “I have a message for you from the Noble Protector.”
“Maximilian?” said Matilda, wondering why he would send a message to her through a guard. “Are you sure?”
“I was told that it came to our Queen and she asked that it be passed on to you,” the guard explained.
When Atalai was mentioned, Matilda didn't bother to pursue the matter any further.
“What is the message?” she asked.
“You are requested to join him at the place where Bladefoot was frozen,” the guard informed her. “He says that the answers are to be found there and no time is to be wasted.”
Matilda was puzzled. “But I thought he had gone back home to search through his library.”
“I don't know,” said the guard. “That is simply the message our queen asked me to pass on.”
“He must have returned with some information,” thought Matilda, “and gone straight to the forest.”
Fizzcrank interrupted her thoughts. “I can take you there, if you wish.”
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“Of course,” replied the guard. “I'll fetch a sleigh immediately.”
“By the way,” said Matilda, “what is your name?”
“Fizzcrank,” said the guard with a smile. “I am Leader of the Guards.”
Any doubts that Matilda had quickly disappeared. She was in safe hands.
Chapter 25
A Shock For Maximilian
Maximilian arrived back at the steps of the Ice Palace in a cloud of smoke and a flash of light. He walked quickly into the entrance chamber and went in search of Matilda. When she was nowhere to be found, he looked for Atalai and met her in her private rooms where she was reading.
“Do you know where Matilda is?” he asked as he stormed into the room.
Atalai put down her book, looked up at Maximilian and said, “Well, hello to you too.”
Maximilian was in no mood for her sarcasm. “Look,” he said, “I don't have time for your games. I have looked everywhere for Matilda and she isn't in the palace. I told her that she wasn't to leave here under any circumstances and now she's gone. Do you have any idea where she might be?”
Atalai could see how upset Maximilian was and apologised. “I'm sorry,” she said, “but I haven't seen her for a couple of days. She was studying the displays in the entrance chamber the last time I saw her and I assumed she was keeping herself busy until you returned. I'll ask the guards there if they know anything.”
They both hurried out to the entrance chamber and Atalai spoke to the guards. One of them mentioned seeing her talking to Fizzcrank but they didn't know where she had gone after that. Atalai told them to find Fizzcrank and the Leader of the Guards arrived shortly afterwards.
“You spoke to the young girl, Matilda, a couple of days ago, is that right?” asked Atalai.
“Yes, Mistress,” Fizzcrank answered.
“What about?” continued Maximilian.
“She wanted some information about the history of Frizland,” replied Fizzcrank. “I happened to be passing and she called me over.”
“What was the information about?” quizzed Atalai.
“Let's see,” said Fizzcrank thoughtfully, “if I remember correctly it had something to do with the War of Tears. Yes, that was it.”
“And what did you tell her?” asked Atalai.
“Nothing,” said Fizzcrank.
“Nothing?” said Maximilian. “What do you mean?”
“I couldn't help her with what she was asking,” stated Fizzcrank. “She wanted to know if I had ever met Dakar while he was in the dungeon and I told her no.”
“What did she do after that?” asked Atalai.
“I don't know,” said Fizzcrank and, thinking quickly in case the other guards had seen them leaving together, added, “She followed me outside and that was the last I saw of her.”
“You didn't see where she went?” insisted Maximilian.
“Not really,” said Fizzcrank. “When we left the palace she went one way and I went the other. She headed off in the direction of the forest and I remember thinking that she was simply going for a walk in the fresh air.”
“Thank you, Fizzcrank,” said Atalai. “You are dismissed.”
The Leader of the Guards walked slowly away thinking that everything had gone smoothly and he could safely maintain his double role in the palace. Little did he know.
“Is he reliable?” asked Maximilian as he watched Fizzcrank disappear down a passageway.
“Who, Fizzcrank?” replied a shocked Atalai. “He's Leader of the Guards. Of course he's reliable. If he can't be trusted nobody can.”
But Maximilian wasn't convinced. Atalai had been wrong before when she defended her staff.
Chapter 26
Check
Two days earlier Fizzcrank had driven Matilda deep into the forest. He had made sure that she was wrapped in a warm blanket to keep out the cold and could not have been more helpful. The trip began pleasantly as the sleigh followed a path between the trees which were covered in snow. As it progressed, however, Matilda began to wonder where they were heading so she asked Fizzcrank.
“You do know where they found Bladefoot, don't you?”
“Yes,” came the reply. “I led the party that retrieved him. It's not far to go.”
Matilda sat back and relaxed. Soon she would be with Maximilian again and, hopefully, be told what the mystery was all about. Unfortunately she was in for an unpleasant surprise.
Fizzcrank drove the sleigh into a broad clearing in the trees and pulled th
e ponies to a halt. Matilda could see four figures standing at the edge of the clearing. They were dressed in black robes and hoods covered their heads.
“Who are those people?” Matilda asked Fizzcrank.
“Oh, them?” he replied with a warm smile. “They're just friends of Maximilian that he brought back with him. He should be here soon. Hop down and I'll introduce them to you.”
Matilda climbed down from the sleigh and followed Fizzcrank across the clearing. As they approached the three figures, they threw back their hoods and Matilda knew she was in trouble for one of the figures was Rashi.
“Oh, no!” she exclaimed and, looking at Fizzcrank, added, “What have you done?” He didn't reply.
“Hello, Matilda,” said the tallest figure. “We've been looking forward to this meeting. My name is Ekon and these are my companions, Malak, Alwan, and of course you know Rashi.”
Matilda suddenly turned and ran back towards the sleigh but Fizzcrank caught her and threw her to the ground. “Don't even try,” he said fiercely. “You are ours now and Maximilian can't do anything to help you.” Matilda began to sob. She felt stupid to have been tricked so easily.
Ekon walked over and looked down at her. “Maximilian will have to stop getting in our way if he ever wants to see you again,” he said. “It will be interesting to see how he reacts once he learns that we have you. Tie her up and take her away.”
Fizzcrank lifted Matilda to her feet and tied her hands behind her back before pushing her over to the sleigh. When she was settled, he climbed into the driver's seat and whipped the mountain ponies forward. They headed towards the cave with the four Shamans following.
Chapter 27
Fizzcrank Exposed
Maximilian had a sixth sense that something was amiss with Fizzcrank's story and he intended doing something about it. He needed to have the Leader of the Guards watched and his movements reported on, so he went down to where the palace sleighs and mountain horse were stabled. He spoke to the troll in charge and instructed him that all requests for the use of a sleigh were to be reported to him immediately. He didn't have to wait long.
Fizzcrank was eager to let the League of Shamans know that Maximilian had returned to the palace and had discovered that Matilda was missing. He also wanted to tell them that he had managed to fool both Atalai and Maximilian, and that his position in the palace was secure.