The Sorcerer's Oath - Books 1-2

Chapter 6-2

“Perhaps instead, you will guarantee not to harm us?” responded Waterstone.

The prince looked around the ring of earnest faces. “Again, I do not see what use my guarantee is to you, until you decide my worth. However,” he shrugged, “I am prepared to make that undertaking, but on three conditions: firstly, that you do not try to use your mind control on me, secondly, that I may leave the forest at any time, and thirdly, that you in turn will guarantee not to attack me.”

“We agree to the first and third but not the second,” murmured Tree Wind.

“Then I will make no guarantee – and I will not allow you to keep me prisoner in your domain.” Before any of the woodfolk could reply, the sorcerer pulled from his pocket a rather squashed berry he had picked a couple of days before and focusing on it, incanted, “Maya Mureva Araya…”

The scene before him faded. Closing his eyes, he felt the sick dizziness of disintegration but then, instead of a gradual return to a new location, he felt as though he had hit a wall and was wrenched backwards. He opened his eyes to find himself lying defenceless and nauseated on the ground with concerned woodfolk bending over him. He felt too sick and battered by the aborted translocation to resurrect his shield.

“Keep away from me,” he snarled.

The woodfolk jumped back, but the voice of Waterstone said gently, “We know nothing of sorcery. We did not interfere with your spell.” He waved his arm around him, “I am not sure why, but the forest appears to be keeping you here to protect you.”

Tarkyn was fighting too hard against nausea and anger to hear a word that Waterstone said. He heaved himself upright, using the rock to haul himself to his feet. He stood there, furious, gasping for breath, his long black hair framing a deathly white face, his amber eyes burning.

As soon as he could control the waves of nausea, he roared at them, “I will not be held prisoner. So now, let us see how the forest protects you against a caged, angry sorcerer.” He swept his arm around in an arc and yelled, “Shturrum!”

The prince glared around at his captive audience. “So what should I do now? Consume you all with a fireball?” In quick succession, he released the paralysis spell and threw a small fireball over their heads to ignite a nearby bush. “Perhaps I should summon a mighty wind and send you smashing into the trees?” Tarkyn flicked his hand and a tree behind them thrashed suddenly in a brief gale. He strode up and down between the stunned woodfolk. “I know… I could lift you all up to the height of the trees and then let you drop so that you smashed on the rocks beside the stream.” With that, he incanted, “Ka Liefka!” and lifted one of the woodfolk and suspended him ten feet above the ground.

The sorcerer allowed his gaze to sweep slowly across his audience. “Should I drop him, do you think?” He paused then his voice came again, bitter and taunting. “Will I drop him, do you think? I am, after all, a rogue sorcerer… And if you value your friend’s life, you will not disappear into the woods.” He shrugged. “Besides, I could set the whole woods alight if I wanted to flush you out.”

Even as he spoke those last words, Tarkyn knew they did not ring with the same conviction as his earlier tirade. His rage had burnt itself out. The woodfolk stood silently, rooted to the ground with fear as Tarkyn gently lowered the woodman to the ground.

With his anger spent, the prince was mortified by what he had done. He placed his hand gently on the shoulder of the terror-stricken woodman and said quietly, “I am so sorry. I had no right to use you thus. I may be outraged at being held in the forest against my will, but that does not justify my treatment of you.”

A voice that sounded like scrabbling claws in the undergrowth replied, “Perhaps not, my lord, but unless I’m much mistaken, your actions now have sealed our fates.” The woodman looked around at his companions who all nodded silently. “You may do with me as you will.” There was no mistaking the undercurrent of bitterness. “You are my liege lord, and these forests are yours – my name is Running Feet”

The prince rocked back on his heels, stunned. “This is my domain? And if so, has it not been forfeited?”

“No one can overturn your father’s will in this, my lord,” answered Ancient Oak, “And we could not accept it, even if they tried.”

The prince slowly surveyed the woodfolk. “I am truly sorry that I subjected you to such unkindness. If, as you say, I am your liege lord, there is even less excuse for my behaviour, not more. And Running Feet, I may not use you as I will, neither by right of might nor by birth right.”

A soft sighing heralded Tree Wind’s voice. “My lord, the issue is decided. The wizard accepted your integrity and now, so do we.” She sounded resigned. “Each word you speak proves it more. You are true.”

Tarkyn frowned in confusion. “Why? How have I suddenly achieved that? By ranting and raving, and throwing dire threats at you?”

“Exactly that,” rumbled Thunder Storm. “Even at the height of your rage and even under attack, you did not harm anyone. If you didn’t hurt us then, we believe that you won’t hurt us at any other time.”

“Oh.” Tarkyn sat down quite suddenly, so surprised was he, by this response.

Thunder Storm heaved a sigh, “And now we must accept that Stormaway will irrevocably bind us into your service at moonrise tonight.”

Tarkyn, who was used to people clamouring to serve him, did not consider this an issue, “And if I insist on leaving the forest?”

“Sire, you cannot stop the process. The spell has already begun to work. Only if you had proved to be really evil could it have been reversed.”

Tarkyn waved his hand, “I am not concerned about reversing the process. I am concerned about my free will. I wish to be able to leave the forest when I choose.”

The woodfolk exchanged glances.

“Your Highness,” said Waterstone, “We did not stop you. The forest did. The forest wards, which are part of the trees themselves, are not letting you leave while the danger to you is so great beyond their borders.”

“We could not harm you, if you insisted on leaving.” Autumn Leaves’ voice was sullen, “But we are sworn to protect you. So, if you place yourself in jeopardy, you risk all of us.”

Tarkyn did not see that this was a logical progression but decided it was pointless to pursue the argument while the forest held him anyway.