"What did your healer die of?" Electra asked her.
"We could say the ague or the fever, as that’s what finally took him, but more likely overwork, exhaustion, lack of food; I could go on," Inga said.
"What is wrong here?" Electra asked. "Why is there no food, no fuel?"
"You can thank King Geoffrey of Fernland for that. He allows no trade or passage south through his kingdom. We are toolmakers here in Helsop, not farmers. The growing season is too short. Without open trade routes to sell our tools, we go hungry."
"Do you not have allies to the west?"
"Blackwell? He's the cause of Geoffrey's hatred. It's an old hatred that started with Blackwell's father. Old king Blackwell the Elder killed Geoffrey's father and there's been war ever since. And we here in Helsop are caught in the middle, always the battleground, never the victor."
"But Dagon's aligned himself with Blackwell, hasn't he?" Electra asked.
"More like Blackwell's chosen Dagon and the rest of us here in Helsop to do his dirty work, if you ask me. But beggars can't be choosers and it's beggars we've become."
"How does Blackwell's kingdom fare?"
"His Kingdom of Henge joins the sea, giving him access to various traders. His people can buy and sell freely. Helsop cannot. We are blocked on the West by Henge and on the South by King Geoffrey, who will not trade with us at all. Prince Blackwell spends a great deal of money on armaments but because he is our only customer, we cannot bargain. He can name his price for the armaments we provide him, and he chooses to name a miser’s price. I daresay he and his soldiers never go to bed hungry as we in Helsop do."
"Have you tried an alliance with King Geoffrey instead?"
"We would have to give up our shaky alliance with Blackwell before we tried that, and I doubt Geoffrey would deign to talk with us even if we did. He sees all of Helsop as rabble and outlaws."
Electra stared at Inga wishing she could find something hopeful to say. Inga stared back quizzically. "And what of yourself then? I heard you were a prisoner but no one knew whose side you were on for sure."
Electra thought for a moment and answered honestly, "I suppose for now my loyalties are unfettered, but my sympathy is with these poor souls in the clinic. No one should have to live this way. I will come again tomorrow to help if it is allowed."
"We need your help desperately," Inga said.
Electra smiled and left for her little cottage. She walked through the door and caught her breath as she saw the tray of food beside the bed. She sat down and ate, famished. Under the plate was a note that said simply, 'thank you'. Through the window she could see the blue banners that marked the soldiers encampment on the edge of town. No guard or soldier stood near her house. Still, she felt that she was being watched.
"Curious," she said aloud, wondering what would happen if she tried to leave.
After she washed her plate, she stood by her window and stared out into the empty street. Candlelight flickered through the holes and windows of the cottages around her. One figure moved through the village, a dark shape moving in her direction. As the cloaked figure came near, Electra could see she was a woman with a face horribly scarred, probably the result of a burn. Perhaps she was coming for herbs. Then Electra saw beneath the burns to the face she loved.
She flew from the door shouting, "Mother, Mother, you are alive!"
Chapter 27
Village of Helsop
Dagon sat as his desk reading the latest message from Prince Blackwell.
Headman Dagon
My scouts have informed me of your brief hold on Fernland’s South Bridge. We here at Henge congratulate you. We may have need of additional armaments come spring. Our best to the people of Helsop, as always,
Prince Blackwell
Dagon drummed his fingers on his desk, frowning. As usual Blackwell had managed to inject a criticism within a compliment: "your brief hold". He might as well have said, "Why did you bother to take the bridge if you had no hope of holding it permanently?"
Dagon stood up and walked around the small room. His command post was a bare wooden structure with an iron stove in one corner. The black stove sat empty with its door hanging open even though the room was cold and wind whistled through cracks between the planks of siding. This was early spring in Helsop. What wood they had for fuel would be saved for the cold winter ahead. Dagon looked out the window that faced the village and saw Deimos hurrying his way. Dagon met him at the door.
"What is it?" he asked.
Deimos’s face was red with embarrassment. "I have had the girl watched as you ordered."
"Yes," Dagon urged.
"Her mother arrived sometime last night."
Dagon realized the reason for his friend’s embarrassment. "Sometime last night?" he echoed.
"I don’t know how she slipped through unnoticed. No sentry saw her, no border guard, she just appeared in the village. She's there now, speaking with the girl in the guest cottage. Should we take her prisoner?"
"Double the sentries, this is inexcusable." He thought to himself, perhaps Blackwell is right about us. "I will look into this myself. If this woman is the girl’s mother we may finally learn the truth about the Amorate fairy tale."
Dagon watched the girl and her mother through the open window. The woman looked badly scarred from a burn, but carried herself with nobility. Mother and daughter hugged one another and talked excitedly. He decided to separate them before they could agree on a story.
He threw the door to the cottage open and walked in, frowning.
"Who are you and how did you get past my sentries?"
"Who are you that I should satisfy your rude behavior?" Serafina asked.
"I am Dagon, Headman of Helsop and Commander of its troops. Now I believe it is your turn."
"I am this child's mother and I have come to take her home with me," Serafina said.
"And what of the master she serves?" Dagon asked.
Serafina paused slightly and stopped herself from looking in Electra's direction. "That is finished," she said.
Dagon caught the hesitation. "Please come with me. We will speak about the possibility of her release."
Serafina made no move. "What is there to say? You have no right to keep her. She is not your enemy."
"Come with me. I insist," Dagon said.
As Serafina moved toward him, Electra moved with her.
"Not you," Dagon said, "you stay here."
Serafina put her hand on Electra's shoulder and smiled at her. Electra bit her lip to keep from weeping over Serafina's ruined face and managed a small smile.
"Be ready to leave," Serafina said, "I'll soon be back."
As they walked to the command post Serafina stopped to retie the lace on her shoe. She looked up at Dagon, made a rotating motion with her hand, and said in a soft voice, "Perhaps you should go on without me."
Dagon found himself thinking the same thing. He shook his head to clear her words from his mind and grabbed Serafina by the wrist. "How did you do that?" he said.
She stared back at him with angry eyes and stayed silent.
"Walk in front of me and no more talking until you are asked," Dagon commanded.
At the stockade he found Deimos talking to the men guarding their small group of prisoners from Fernland. Dagon pulled him aside and whispered to him as he kept his eye on Serafina.
"This woman has some knowledge of sorcery. She can turn your mind to her will if she catches you off guard. Shackle her and search her belongings, then bring her to the command post. We need to question her."
Serafina walked through the door to Dagon's headquarters closely followed by Deimos. Her hands were bound together in front of her. Deimos carried the crystal ball.
"We found this crystal ball, jewelry, clothes, packets of herbs, lotions, charms, vials filled with insects and crystals, gold coins, and substances we could not identify."
Dagon looked at the crystal ball with its familiar crack. He had last seen it amongst
the gear they had been forced to leave behind in Fernland. "Where did you get this?" he asked.
"I found it south of here in a field by the river."
"You found it?"
"As I said."
"It was not yours. What right had you to take it?"
"It was lost or abandoned. If the owner comes forward I will return it."
"But you know who the owner is, do you not?" Dagon asked.
Serafina looked at Dagon suspiciously. She remained silent.
"Answer my question," Dagon said.
"I know persons who own crystal balls," Serafina said.
"But this one, with a crack and an orange glow," Dagon urged.
"Accidents happen. A crystal ball can be broken," Serafina replied.
Dagon paced back and forth. "Why have you come here?" he asked.
"I came to find my daughter."
"Why?" Dagon persisted.
"Why not?" Serafina said.
"Did you think she was in danger?"
"Perhaps."
"And why was that?"
"I heard of fighting to the north."
"Did you not think she would be safe with King Geoffrey?"
Serafina narrowed her eyes at the mention of King Geoffrey's name but did not reply.
"I require an answer," Dagon said.
"She has no need of King Geoffrey's protection."
Dagon looked puzzled. "But you allowed her to accept his employment."
"Certainly not," Serafina said.
Dagon tilted his head and stared at Serafina, then at Deimos.
"She ran away then?" Dagon asked softly.
"Of course not," Serafina said.
Dagon considered what line of questioning might elicit the truth or at least confirm a lie. He heard footsteps and looked out the open door at a weary, bedraggled soldier rushing toward him.
"Maki, you are safely back. Come, come." He beckoned him forward with a wave of his hand.
"What news from the south?"
Maki looked at Serafina and waited.
"It is all right," Dagon said, "I am sure she knows what's going on in Fernland."
"King Geoffrey is raising an army of retribution. They will march on us within a fortnight. I estimate them to be 5,000 strong."
Dagon frowned and stared at the floor, deep in thought.
"Sir?" Maki asked.
"Yes?" Dagon said, raising his head slowly to face him.
"Will Prince Blackwell send troops in our defense?"
Dagon bowed his head and kept silent.
"So the golden boy is no longer Blackwell's favorite?" Serafina asked.
Dagon turned to her, his eyes flashing anger. "If you hope to live to be rescued by Fernland’s army you’d best watch your tongue."
"I will not be rescued by King Geoffrey," Serafina said, with ice in her voice. "I think you had best be civil to me as I am your only hope of victory." Serafina lifted her bound hands above her head and the rope that held them fell to the ground. She stepped forward and took the crystal ball in her hands.
"How did you free yourself?" Dagon shouted.
"Please!" Serafina said, "No more foolish questions." She looked at Dagon as a mother might look at a rebellious child. "We have work to do."
Chapter 28
Village of Helsop
Electra stood in the doorway of the guest house, searching the gathering darkness for her mother. What could be taking so long? Surely Dagon would not hold her mother prisoner. A dark figure came into view. Electra held her breath, unsure. Serafina waved and Electra ran out to meet her.
"Mother, I was worried. Will they allow us to leave?"
"They could not keep us, child, if we did not permit it." Serafina's smile was full of a confidence Electra did not feel. "But I have decided to stay until King Geoffrey's defeat is assured." They walked arm in arm back to the guest cottage, settling down on the cot to talk.
Electra tried to compose herself before asking the question most on her mind. "Is it true, Mother, that King Geoffrey and Queen Delphinia are my birth parents?"
"Yes, that much is true.
Electra took a deep breath. "And that you stole me from them?"
Serafina gripped the folds of her dress but kept her voice calm. "I rescued you from them," she said. "I found out what Geoffrey was when I was engaged to him. He cares nothing for the feelings of others. He would have married you off to someone like himself to make an advantageous alliance for his Kingdom."
"But the queen, your sister…" Electra said.
"My sister is a fool. She is no better than a servant in King Geoffrey's court."
"But…" Electra seemed at a loss for words. "But why did you keep the truth from me?"
"I would have told you soon. But I would not have encouraged you to seek them out. You see King Geoffrey's work all around you. These people live in misery because of his power mongering."
Electra thought back to her conversation with the nurse, Inga. Perhaps Serafina was telling her the truth, at least the truth as she perceived it. "They have no healer," Electra said, wanting to find reasons to believe her mother. "Many are starving. I've been helping at their infirmary."
"Of course you have," Serafina said. "And I shall help them win a better life with a victory over Geoffrey."
"But what of my brother, Avor? He seems a kind person."
"Then let us hope he will redirect his loyalties." Serafina’s expression showed no hint of softness.
That night Electra felt the comforting warmth of her mother beside her on the small bed, but slept badly and dreamed childish dreams of being chased by monsters. She awoke to find her mother rubbing lotions into a face free of scars. Beside her lay an open scarf heaped with little packets of herbs and potions. When Serafina turned toward Electra, her face shone with an ethereal beauty.
"Mother! Your face! You look beautiful!" Electra exclaimed.
"An illusion and a spell. I am glad you find them effective," Serafina said.
Electra suddenly realized it was the scars that had been the illusion, an artful bit of cosmetic subterfuge. Were they part of a disguise or an attempt to gain sympathy? She wondered what other deceptions Serafina was hiding.
"Mother, I have been thinking on your decision to influence the outcome of this war between Fernland and Helsop. Even though I sympathize with Helsop I feel they have little hope of victory; moreover, it really isn’t our concern. I am sure Dagon would allow us to leave. He is grateful for my help with the sick and wounded."
"As I said before, he could not stop us if that is what we wished to do. Neither can he stop Geoffrey. That is something I must do."
"Your hatred of Geoffrey runs deep," Electra said.
Anger leapt into Serafina's angelic face. She looked at Electra suspiciously. "You have objections?"
“I fear you are putting yourself in danger on his account," Electra said.
"Always take fear out of your decisions," Serafina said. "I will go to Henge and return with troops from Blackwell."
"Then I will go with you," Electra said.
"Not this time, my daughter. I need you here."
With these words Serafina left the cottage and headed west over the mountains to Henge.
Electra left for the clinic, still concerned about how her mother hoped to enlist Blackwell’s aid and whether she was right to attempt it. She also wondered, but was afraid to ask, what bones she had wept over and buried back at their burned out cabin.
Chapter 29
Village of Helsop
Electra walked into the clinic, preoccupied with thoughts of Serafina. Smiles from her patients finally drew her attention. Many seemed to be improving. She stopped at Isa’s cot. Isa sat holding her new son on her lap. Timor sat beside her inspecting one of the baby’s feet.
"You seem much improved, Isa," Electra said as she gave Timor a brief hug.
"Thanks to you," Isa said. "I will go home today."
"Wonderful. Have you someone to help at home
?"
Isa’s expression turned bitter. "My husband Olaf is a prisoner in Geoffrey’s dungeon. He was captured last autumn."
"I am so sorry," Electra said. "Perhaps he could be exchanged for one of the prisoners here."
"Perhaps. Helsop needs both men and money. Whether to exchange or ransom prisoners is always hotly debated."
Isa looked past Electra to the door of the infirmary and her face brightened. "Dagon!" she shouted, "Come and see your new nephew."
Electra moved away as Dagon came forward, waving and greeting other patients along the way.
"Don’t leave," Isa said to Electra, "I want you to hear as well."
"Hear what?" Electra asked.
Dagon nodded briefly at Electra and laughed when he saw the baby. He picked him up and held him at arm’s length. "You have done well, Isa," he said. "This one is a warrior."
"I’m glad you approve of your little namesake," Isa said.
"Namesake? No, you haven’t," Dagon said, his eyes growing wide with surprise.
"I have," Isa said, smiling. "I’ve named him Dagon after his uncle."
Dagon cradled the baby in one arm and lifted Timor up with the other. "What do you think of this, Timor?"
"It’s a good name," Timor said.
"Then I suppose you are stuck with it," he said to the baby.
Dagon looked at Electra and said, "Thank you for taking care of my sister. We are much in your debt."
"I did not know Isa was your sister," Electra said.
"And there is still much we do not know about you," he said, "although meeting your mother explains your knowledge of herbs."
"This is true," Isa said. "We don’t even know your name."
"You may call me El if you wish," Electra said.
"And would El be your name?" Dagon asked.
"More or less," Electra answered.
"El then, here is progress. El…" he hesitated. “I wonder if I might speak with you concerning your mother."
Electra saw Isa and Timor listening intently. "Perhaps we could speak in the chart room," she said.
Dagon followed Electra to the small cluttered room at the far end of the clinic where medical supplies and charts were kept. They sat in wooden chairs on either side of a battered wooden table.
"You have served my family and my soldiers well," Dagon began. "I hoped I might return the favor by relaying concerns I have for your mother."