"Take him to a separate tent and place him under heavy guard," Dagon ordered. As Prince Avor was led away, Dagon ordered the thief to be brought back in.
"What is your relationship to Serafina?" Dagon demanded.
"You will leave me no information to bargain with," Take muttered.
"I am already inclined toward gratitude," Dagon said. "Why not keep me well favored toward you."
The thief looked hopeful as he began. "It was Serafina who helped me escape. She hoped to use me in her search for Electra."
"Electra."
"Yes."
Dagon closed his eyes, searching for the name Electra in his memory. He knew that name. Why?
"Electra," Dagon repeated.
"Yes," the thief repeated. Slowly, the significance of the name slipped out of the foggy recesses of his mind. "Electra, the lost daughter of King Geoffrey?"
"Yes," the thief said.
"Why would Serafina need your help?"
"I, uh, helped her once before, uh, when she decided to take the child to punish King Geoffrey."
Dagon had trouble containing his mounting excitement. "Serafina took the child? Did she raise her as her own daughter?"
"I suppose she did," Take answered.
As the mystery revealed itself to Dagon, he moved quickly to the door and spoke to the guard outside. "Move this prisoner to a comfortable location." He nodded at the thief. "You will be well rewarded, you have my word." Dagon motioned Deimos inside and shut the door.
Dagon bristled with excitement. He paced back and forth behind his desk with clenched hands.
"Did you hear what that prisoner said?" he asked Deimos, "We have both the king’s children!"
"We could demand half his Kingdom," Deimos replied, laughing. Then a frown came over his face and he turned for the door. "We need to put Electra under guard right away."
Dagon rushed in front of his friend and held up his hand to keep Deimos from leaving.
"I can’t do that," Dagon said. "I can’t treat her as a prisoner. Valuable as she is, she may have saved my sister’s life. Isa was very weak after my little namesake was born. I feared we would lose her. Electra stepped in to aid my sister of her own free will. I made a promise to her." He banged the table with his fist, suddenly angry. "I’ve as much as told her she is free to go if she wishes."
"She lied to you," Deimos reminded him.
"She had to protect her brother," Dagon said, "I can’t fault her for that."
"You don’t need her; Prince Avor is enough," Deimos said. "But if you let her go she may follow Serafina to Blackwell’s camp. Blackwell would certainly hold her for ransom when he finds out who she is."
"You are right, of course," Dagon said. "We can’t let her go." He continued his pacing, hoping for an idea.
"She didn’t try to leave with Serafina before the battle began. Serafina went directly to Blackwell’s camp while Electra stayed in the infirmary and helped with the wounded."
Dagon stopped pacing; he looked thoughtful. "Nor has she made any attempt to return to Fernland, though she knows I am in her debt. Do you suppose she wants to stay in Helsop?"
Dagon and Deimos looked at one another and both shook their heads at the same time.
"Would that she did wish to stay here," Dagon said sorrowfully, "but that is unlikely."
"We could offer her a stipend to stay and serve as our healer," Deimos said, "She seems a dedicated herbalist."
Again the two looked at each other and shook their heads.
The silence that followed became strained. "Maybe you could marry her, then she would have to stay," Deimos said half-heartedly.
Dagon stared at Deimos, excited by the idea. "There’s not much here to attract a princess, but she has never lived as one. Perhaps she would consider it if she were approached in such a way that it seemed advantageous to accept. It would force Geoffrey into an alliance with Helsop. We would finally be free of Blackwell’s domination. Do you think there’s any chance she would consent to it?"
"She is friendly with your sister, Isa. Perhaps Isa could sound her out on the idea," Deimos said.
"What have we to lose?" Dagon replied. "Isa may have some notion of what might make such an offer appeal to a young girl."
Chapter 42
Village of Helsop
Electra stood in the chart room of the clinic considering various mixtures of herbs. On the battered table she had laid out strips of cloth. From buckets surrounding the table she chose elm bark to treat wounds, yellow gentian root to treat fever, and aloe for burns. She rolled the herbs in strips of cloth to make poultices. She glanced up and was startled to see Isa watching her from the doorway.
"Isa! And little Dagon! Are you both well?" she asked.
"Quite well, thanks to you, and well-fed, thanks to Fernland’s leavings," Isa said.
Electra laughed and took the baby from Isa. "What a fine young man you have here," she said, rocking the baby in her arms.
"What brings you to the clinic?" She looked up at Isa.
"We came for a visit." Isa paused and met Electra’s eyes. "I am curious about your plans for the future."
"Ah, the future." Electra handed the baby back to his mother.
Isa leaned closer. "Actually I am here at Dagon’s request. He fears he may lose you."
Electra thought it odd that Isa said ‘he fears he may lose you’ rather than ‘he fears we may lose you’ but she made no mention of it.
"The work I do here is not so complicated. I could teach you something of herb medicine if you like," Electra said.
"You are too modest. I’m sure it would require years, but that is not my meaning. Though Helsop would be the worse for your absence, Dagon would be devastated."
"Devastated!" Electra was both confused and suspicious.
"He is in love with you," Isa said.
Electra laughed at Isa and wondered if this was some sort of joke. When Isa remained unsmiling, Electra managed to contain her laughter enough to say, "I believe you are quite mistaken."
Isa shook her head. "He was afraid you would react this way. He is not a man to let his feelings show. Nevertheless he plans to ask for your hand in marriage."
Electra searched Isa’s countenance for some sign of a smile. "Surely you jest," she said.
"He is on his way here now to seek your consent. I thought I should warn you lest you injure his spirit unknowingly," Isa said.
Electra sat down trying to remember any sign of affection she may have missed. "Thus far his gratitude has resulted in numerous offers of freedom and safe passage to Fernland," she said.
Isa blushed slightly before she spoke. "As I mentioned, he is a man who keeps tight rein on his feelings. He would not keep you against your will if you wished to leave." Isa turned to go.
"I hope I have not offended you. I know how highly you regard your brother," Electra said.
"You have not," Isa said. "Yours was the reaction I expected. But I must go. It would not do for him to see me here. Please do not mention my visit when you speak with him."
"Certainly," Electra said. "And thank you for warning me."
Electra sat staring at her unfinished poultices, wondering at Isa’s revelation. She had given some thought to what her future plans might be after her last emotional conversation with Serafina. She had decided that she would meet with her birth parents for curiosity’s sake. After that she did not know. Perhaps she would assume a new identity and go farther south than Chase Bound. She could sustain herself selling herbs and charms until she decided what should come next. She was quite sure she did not wish to become the reigning monarch of Fernland, despite her mother’s ambitions on her behalf. When Dagon arrived she was in such a state of reverie that she jumped at his polite cough.
"I wonder if I might have a word with you," he asked.
"Of course," Electra said, watching his eyes closely. She saw no hint of longing there.
As they sat on either side of a small table Dagon lowered hi
s eyes.
"I will not lie to you. I have known your true identity for some time now," he lied.
Electra stayed silent as Dagon continued.
"But how could I hold you for ransom or as a bargaining chip to gain political advantage when I was both grateful to you and in love with you? I had to offer you your freedom, hoping in my heart that you would refuse it." He glanced up at her face briefly before continuing.
Electra gave a polite nod, wondering where this well-rehearsed speech would lead.
"Now that the battle is fought and won, you may be inclined to feel that your work here as a healer is finished. I…" he hesitated briefly, "I decided I must make my true feelings known to you before that happens. I would be honored if you would consent to be my wife and make your home in Helsop." He fixed her with a beseeching look and waited.
"I do not know who you imagine me to be," Electra said, "but I assure you I will soon be replaced in your affections by another more kindred soul. I must accept your offer of freedom and be on my way when these wounded have sufficiently recovered."
"I imagine you to be the Princess Electra, sister to Prince Avor, the lad with a penchant for disguises," Dagon said with a solemn expression.
Electra held her breath for a second, then laughed lightly.
"Whatever do you mean?"
"Your brother Avor is once more Helsop’s prisoner, this time disguised as a conscript in Fernland’s army. I believe I preferred the disguise he assumed as Amorel the Seer from Amorate when first we met." Dagon continued to speak with sincerity, as though reluctant to admit these truths.
"You have captured Amorel?" Electra asked, suddenly on guard.
Dagon shook his head sadly, as though hurt by Electra’s lack of trust. "I can hardly blame you for being wary," he said. "And I cannot mislead you into thinking that my offer of freedom extends to your brother. It is my duty as Headman of Helsop to hold him for political advantage. But I believe I must be forthcoming in all if I am to have any hope of winning your heart."
Electra wondered if there was any point in keeping up the pretense. "I wish to see this prisoner you believe to be my brother," she said.
"I am sure he would appreciate that," Dagon said. "But if you would do me the favor of waiting until tomorrow, I have planned a trip for us today. I want to show you something that might incline you more toward Helsop and so improve my chances."
"What is that?" she said.
"It is a surprise. Please indulge me if you will."
"More surprises," Electra murmured. She placed the finished poultices in a bowl as she pondered what she might do to best help Avor if he was, in fact, a prisoner of Helsop.
Dagon smiled and waited patiently.
"As you wish," she said with a shrug.
She followed Dagon out the front of the clinic where two horses stood saddled and waiting.
They rode north toward Ice Mountain, the same white mountain that appeared stitched against a blue background on Helsop’s banners. As they drew close to the glacier a cold wet wind closed around them. Dagon stopped and pulled heavy coats from his saddle bags.
Electra quickly wrapped herself in the coat.
"It is magnificent!" she said, staring at the huge leading edge of the glacier.
"It moves slowly forward, pushed from behind with the weight of new snow and ice."
"I hear its movement," Electra said, listening to the powerful rumblings. "It is louder than falling trees; it is like a thousand strikes of lightning coming from deep inside."
"Nothing can stand in its way," Dagon said. "It is the spirit of Helsop."
They approached slowly, taking in the vivid blue hues that emanated from the ice. At the edge of the glacier they dismounted and stepped onto the ice, crunching through the soft rim with their boots. As they moved forward the ice was hard and smooth to the touch, like wet glass.
They circled around the slippery rim of ice until they could look out over Cold Lake, dotted with drifting ice flows, a dark and forbidding expanse of gray water. When they finally turned back, their hands and feet were numb. They returned quickly to their horses and Dagon gave Electra dry mittens and stockings.
"Thank you for bringing me here," she said. "It is a sight I will never forget."
"My hope is that you will have it always in view," he said.
Chapter 43
Village of Helsop
Blackwell found Serafina in his father's tent. He stood in the opening of the tent for a moment, breathing deeply, trying to gain control of his anger. "I have the two of you to thank for this unnecessary war. My own father. You could have killed me."
"I didn't hit you that hard," his father said. "Besides, you were the one who rushed out with your army."
Blackwell ignored this comment. "And you, whoever you are," he said to Serafina, "where is this imaginary princess who was to miraculously prevent any casualties?"
"I am Serafina, sister to Geoffrey's Queen Delphinia. I assume Princess Electra is still at the infirmary in Helsop where I left her this morning."
Prince Blackwell opened his mouth then closed it, at a loss for words. He sat down and rubbed the bump on his head.
"Serafina, are you?" the elder Blackwell said laughing, "No wonder you hate King Geoffrey. I remember when he rejected you in favor of your sister."
Serafina's eyes glowed through narrow slits as she silently regarded Blackwell's father.
"That's enough, Father. I see no humor in your story. This history is none of our affair." Blackwell turned his attention back to Serafina. "Whatever your reasons for aligning yourself with Dagon against Geoffrey, there remains the central question. Why did Dagon not make use of Electra against King Geoffrey to stop the battle before it began?" Blackwell asked.
"He did not know who she was," Serafina answered.
"What? You did not tell him?"
"She is my daughter regardless of her birth parents. I would not endanger her, nor will I give her back to Geoffrey."
"Why did you not bring her back here with you?"
"Our relationship is strained by recent events. She needs time to consider her direction."
"She is too valuable to choose her own direction. I will send guards for her before Dagon discovers her identity and ransoms her."
"Dagon has promised her Helsop's undying gratitude and her freedom," Serafina said.
"Without knowing who she is?" Blackwell looked doubtful.
"Yes, he values her medical services."
"We cannot take the chance. We will bring her here as our guest until I can arrange a council with Dagon."
"I will go for her myself. Alone," Serafina said. "Perhaps she has already come to a decision."
Blackwell seemed hesitant to grant Serafina’s request, but saw no way to stop her other than by force. He did not want to try that for any number of reasons. "I would have her come willingly, but if she will not, then she will come, regardless. Is my meaning clear?" Blackwell asked.
"As you will," Serafina replied. "I will leave at once. And I will leave alone. Is my meaning clear?"
Blackwell grunted in reply. As Serafina left the tent, Blackwell turned to his father.
"What did you hope to achieve by disabling me?" he asked.
"Exactly what I got," his father replied, "Geoffrey’s defeat."
"Geoffrey’s defeat was also Dagon’s victory. You’d best hope Dagon does not realize what he has ensconced in his infirmary or we will have two opponents to contend with instead of one.
"You worry too much, Son. Let us make plans to take back our hill country now that Fernland’s army is depleted. Let us enjoy the victory banquet so long in coming." His father patted his son on the back.
"And with your vengeance satisfied you are blissfully worry-free?" Prince Blackwell asked.
"Vengeance is sweet," his father said. "I do intend to savor it."
"I will join you shortly at dinner, Father." Blackwell left his father’s tent and returned to his command center w
here two scouts waited.
"I want the woman followed and the girl brought here unharmed. You may wait to see if she returns of her own accord with the woman, but if not, bring her here, willing or no."
After the scouts left Blackwell washed his face and combed his hair, touching the lump on his head gingerly. He changed his clothes and left for the victory dinner his father had arranged.
Chapter 44
Village of Helsop
Serafina spent most of her evening evading Blackwell’s soldiers on a chase around Ice Mountain. After leaving them to follow fraudulent tracks she returned to Helsop to find Dagon’s soldiers generously dispersed around Electra’s little cottage. She watched them from a distance and decided they had been sent to guard Electra. They made no attempt to enter Electra’s cottage. Serafina left them to their work and slipped past, into the cottage, to wait for Electra. A few minutes later, she heard horses ride up and listened as Dagon and Electra said their goodbyes. There was the soft sound of a chaste kiss.
"I do not expect an answer any time soon. I would like to spend some time together tomorrow," Dagon said. "Perhaps we could walk into Helsop’s forest."
Electra came through the door quietly and lit a candle. Her expression was soft, thoughtful, in the dim light. She stopped short when she saw Serafina.
"Mother," she said, clasping her hands together. "It is so good to see you. I was afraid you would not come back." Her eyes sparkled with sudden moisture.
"How could I stay away when so much hangs in the balance?" Serafina held the crystal ball in her lap.
"It seems you were right about decisions to be made," Electra said. "A most extraordinary thing has happened."
"I know. I’ve been looking ahead," Serafina said, nodding at the crystal ball. "But please…continue."
"Dagon has made a proposal of marriage. Did you see that in the crystal ball?"
"Not exactly," Serafina said, "but I see the future of Helsop poised on the brink and I suspected you might be the one to tip the scales. Come and see."
Electra looked into the crystal ball and in the cloudy shapes, she saw the village of Helsop growing larger and more powerful, pressing against its neighboring kingdoms, Henge to the east, and Fernland to the south. She changed her thinking then, to imagine herself leaving, returning to Chase Bound. Helsop began to wither before her eyes.