The Sorceress and the Sleeping Beauty: A Fairy Tale by C.M. Blackwood

Author:C.M. Blackwood [Blackwood, C.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, mobi
Published: 2014-12-31T08:00:00+00:00

XIII.

All the King’s Men

Be assured, that indeed John was trying all this time, to secure the power of Grimwig in the fight against Mahari. But the warlock knew his desire, and would not so much as grant him an audience.

So, finally, John decided to march without him. He sent out all his men in his fervor, leaving Balta unprotected, but hardly caring. Then, he mounted his own great charger – and they rode.

When they came to the gates of Zóar, Mahari was stood on the opposite side, upon his own steed. But he saw that John wished to speak with him, so he dismounted, and walked to the gates, where John met him.

“If you wish to do battle this day,” said Mahari, “my men are prepared. But know it is not I who seeks war.”

John gave him a careful look, and said quietly, “I hardly know how you did it – but you devised an elaborate scheme, to take your daughter away from my city. I cannot understand why you did it, but I know only, that it must be a sign of your wishing to destroy our treaty.”

“I made no move against you,” said Mahari. “Whatever wrong was done, was done by you alone. But it is over now – and we may be at peace, if you wish it.”

You may guess that John appeared, here, very bewildered. But he asked for no explanation, as he expected that he was dealing with black lies, and that whatever words were spoken further, would only be more of the same. He said simply, “It is a strange thing, to go to such lengths, only to bring your daughter home to a city upon which you know quite well a war will be waged.”

“If you think I would be so foolish,” said Mahari, “as to shelter my child where King John’s wrath is expected – you hardly know me so well as you think you do.”

John seemed, now, even more greatly confused; but he attempted speedily to compose himself. “The time for talking is over,” he declared, climbing again upon his horse. “I have no more wish to hear the lies of a Zóaran tongue! Let the battle begin!”

He directed his men to storm the gates; and indeed, the battle was begun. But the soldiers of Zóar had been awaiting him, for many long days, and they could not have been more ready to assail him. Their fierceness was so great, his own men were caught up as if in a raging tide, and swept immediately away. The battle was perhaps the shortest, of any in the history of Antira – and Mahari prevailed absolutely, driving John and what remained of his men, away like wounded dogs. It was the greatest victory that Zóar had ever experienced.

And really, there is little more to be told about it. Gala witnessed her father’s victory, within the bounds of the crystal, and she rejoiced. But when Mahari said that she might return to him, it was only to tell her, that she could not remain with him.

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