The Shedashee glanced back to the southwest. “You can only have it from the stone. Which means she helped create it.”
“Yes, she did. She did it to help us destroy Rufus.” Vlad pointed. “She did it so we have the power to stop the Norghaest.”
“I reckon that ain’t a bad thing.”
Vlad drew in a deep breath, then slowly exhaled. “It is, Nathaniel, a very bad thing. It was Norghaest power that seduced Rufus. It destroyed him and those settlements out west. It’s power beyond the imagining of any man, the power to heal and restore, to make bountiful what was barren. A wonderful and terrible power.”
Nathaniel gave the Prince a half smile. “I reckon you’ll be using the wonderful half of it. Rufus was weak, soes he used the terrible.”
“Rufus may have been weak, but no man is that strong.” The fleeting memory of his desire to pull that boy back from death flickered through his mind. “Before you go, I have one service I would ask of you, Prince Kamiskwa.”
“As you wish it, it shall be done.”
Vlad nodded toward the southwest. “Go back out there and destroy that stone. I don’t want the power. If we are to defeat the Norghaest, we will just have to find another way.”
Chapter Sixty-two
9 June 1768 Fort Plentiful Richlan, Mystria
Prince Vlad returned General Rathfield’s smile as the Norillian officer entered the wurmrest. “You wanted to see me, Highness.”
“Yes, I wanted to thank you and your men for helping with… everything.” The Prince pointed off toward the north side of the valley where a hill had been leveled off and the dead had been buried. “Given that so many of your comrades can’t be buried…”
Rathfield clasped his hands at the small of his back. “This place has been watered with the blood of the Fifth Northland Cavalry. Upon my return to Norisle, I shall recommend that we establish a garrison force out here. I should like this to be the Fifth’s Mystrian home.”
“That would likely be a good idea.” Vlad patted Mugwump below his left eye. “I had some questions I hoped you would answer. I want you to answer freely. I shall deal with the consequences of your replies, regardless of what they are.”
Rathfield nodded. “I am at your service.”
“What will you tell Bishop Bumble about Ezekiel Fire?”
The Norillian officer smiled. “I never saw him. I share Count von Metternin’s grief on the loss of his aide, and shall mention the man’s bravery in my reports. Bumble may have concerns about Fire, but the man is gone. This is not a matter for me to be concerned with.”
One down. “And what will you say to him of my use of magick?”
“Again, Highness, I never saw you using magick. I know many people, including some of my men, benefited from your medical skills. To the best of my knowledge, you set bones and closed wounds, using means less brutal than wrenching and cautery.” Rathfield glanced toward the ground. “I understand the Bishop might have concerns, especially as he sees magick use over which he has no control as being heretical. I would say that your use-again, which I never witnessed-certainly fell within the compassion preached by the Good Lord. I have no intention of denouncing you to Bishop Bumble.”
“Thank you.” Vlad exchanged a sidelong look with Mugwump. “I asked you to swear to keep the fact that Mugwump can fly a secret. I know this information would be of interest in Launston. I said I would release you from your vow if we lived.”
“I shall keep your secret, Highness.” Ian gestured toward the dragon. “While one cannot deny that this wurm has wings, I have never seen him fly. While he has a martial spirit, as do all wurms to the best of my knowledge, and as is made apparent by how easily his wing was broken; the wings are vestigial, ornamental at best, and of little practical use, much as the wings of a variety of flightless birds.”
“General, you know this isn’t true.”
Rathfield smiled. “And yet, Highness, you know that no amount of sincerity on my part will convince my superiors at Horse Guards that what I’ve said is other than the truth. If they believe me, what will they do? Let a wurm go to molt and die? They would lay the blame for that death upon me. So then they decide that it only happens here because of food or the air? Can you tell me why Mugwump grew wings? Mugwump has been here for years, and the Crown will never move and station wurms here on the chance that after two or three decades they might grow wings that will never work.”
Vlad nodded. “Just as the Crown refused to believe about the Norghaest threat in the west. What will you do with that in your report?”
“I don’t know.” Rathfield shrugged. “I suppose it is good I have a long journey home to figure that out. Have you decided what you will tell people?”
“Not really. The stories will get outlandish, but our having defeated the Norghaest will keep panic down. Alandalusian troops have reported civilizations in the jungles and deserts south and southwest. Perhaps I will let people believe that these were nomads that we sent home. The demons and trolls can be covered by Shedashee legends.” The Prince snorted. “As you’ve pointed out, it is all a matter of reporting what people are most likely to accept. Luckily I have some influence with the editorial staff at the Frost Weekly Gazette.”
Both men laughed, then Rathfield advanced and extended his hand to the Prince. “If you will permit me this familiarity, sir, I wish to tell you I have enjoyed serving under you. I do not believe anyone at court understands what a capable leader you are.”
Vlad shook the man’s hand. “I’m not a military commander, General.”
“I didn’t say you were. You’re a leader. ” Rathfield nodded. “With men and women so capable and willing to fight, a leader is all they need. I want to thank you for all your kindness.”
“It has been a pleasure.”
As they broke their grip, Owen slipped into the wurmrest. He stopped quickly. “Forgive me, Highness, I thought you were alone.”
Rathfield turned. “I was saying good-bye.”
“Looks like the day for departures. Kamiskwa and Nathaniel are getting ready to leave.” Owen offered the General his hand. “Travel safely, sir. Please give my regards to my uncle.”
“I shall. And thank you for saving my life.”
Owen shook his head. “You’d have done the same for me.”
“Pity I didn’t have the chance.”
The two of them shook hands, then the Prince joined them outside to bid Nathaniel and Kamiskwa farewell. The surviving Shedashee waited across the valley, near the graveyard. As Vlad looked at them and at Nathaniel and Kamiskwa outfitted lightly for quick travel, he wished dearly to be going with them. It was not that he found his responsibilities crushing, but that being able to slip them every so often appealed.
Rathfield shook each man’s hand. “Thank you both for seeing to my safety in the wilderness. I dare say my wolfskin pelisse will be the talk of Launston, and you shall be fully credited in my retelling of that adventure. Prince Kamiskwa, please know you have my sympathy at your father’s disappearance. I wish you safety in your quest to find him.”
“Thank you, General.” Kamiskwa smiled. “Safe journey home.”
Nathaniel threw the man a quick but casual salute. “Safe travel.”
“And you as well.” Rathfield turned and marched off to where his surviving men were gathering their horses.
Nathaniel looked over at the Prince. “Something need to be done about him?”
The question’s bluntness did not surprise the Prince, but its insight did. Vlad reached into the pocket of his jacket and produced a small handgun he’d been given by du Malphias at Anvil Lake. “I do not believe he will be a problem, and I had anticipated a solution were that not the case.”
Kamiskwa raised his musket in one hand and pumped it three times in the air. The waiting Shedashee took off to the northeast, disappearing into the woods. They could have just as easily headed east and ambushed what was left of the Fifth Northland Cavalry.