The Golden Acorn Chapter 6.

Chapter Six.

 

A Missing Knight.

 

Inga and Babbin climbed back onto their cart.

“Turn right when you reach the forest road,” Calizone said. “The Palace is about ten miles along, just outside the forest.”

She hesitated, then added, “You have done me a great favour. Now that I know what Magalan looks like, I can hunt for her. I am… very grateful.” She sniffed. “I am not used to saying thank you.”

“Can’t you use magic to find her?” asked Inga.

“No. If I used magic, she would know I was searching. And she cannot use magic to find me for the same reason. Witches always know when another witch is practising magic.”

“What will you do when you find her?” asked Inga.

“We will battle with magic,” said Calizone calmly. “And one of us will not survive.” She gave a thin smile. “I suggest you are far away when that happens.”

Inga blinked. “You mean she could win?”

“She is very powerful. Nothing is certain in a duel of magic.”

“Then why go after her at all?” asked Inga.

“There can be only one Witch of the Dark Forest,” Calizone replied.

“I hope you win,” said Inga. “After what she did to Babbin.”

“So do I,” said Calizone. “Now go. The sooner you find your golden acorn, the better. The spell is weakening.”

Inga turned the cart and drove away. Babbin sat beside her, pouring the chain from hand to hand.

They had not gone far when a small troop of soldiers overtook them, the famous Forest Rangers, whose job was to keep the forest road safe.

Inga stopped the cart. The leader reined in beside her.

“Good afternoon. Where are you heading? This part of the forest is not safe for travellers.”

“I need to find Prince Rogan as soon as possible,” said Inga. “Please don’t stop us, it is a matter of life and death.”

“Explain,” the soldier demanded.

Inga told the story again. When she reached the part about Magalan disguising herself, the soldier let out a low whistle.

“You had better follow us,” he said. “King Rolan will want to hear this. The castle is only a short distance ahead. We will escort you.”

It did not take long to reach King Rolan’s castle. Inga and Babbin were led into the throne room. Once again, Inga told her story.

King Rolan listened carefully.

“Now I understand why we could not find Magalan,” he said. “And why Calizone seemed to be in two places at once. We thought she was using magic to search.”

“Calizone said she couldn’t,” said Inga. “Using magic would warn Magalan.”

“That is my concern, and Calizone’s,” said the King. “You need to speak to my son Rogan. Unfortunately, he is away at the moment. With luck, he will return in the morning. Until then, you are welcome here.”

Inga wanted to argue, but she and Babbin were led away. Their room was comfortable, and they were well fed, but Inga spent a restless night.

Early the next morning, a servant brought them back to the throne room. King Rolan was waiting, and beside him stood a taller, younger version of himself.

“This is my son Rogan,” said the King. “He will do everything in his power to help you find your husband’s heart.”

Prince Rogan bowed to Inga and led them to a side chamber. Once again, Inga told her story.

Rogan nodded when she reached the part about Babbin’s heart stopping.

“That would be when I destroyed the Knight. Did you know it had my older brother’s brain as well as your husband’s heart?”

Inga shook her head.

“No. Was your brother all right when the spell ended?”

“Yes, mostly,” said Rogan. “He is not fully recovered, but he is much better.”

Inga sighed with relief.

“Then when Babbin’s spell ends, he should recover too.”

Rogan nodded.

“So… did you see the golden acorn?” asked Inga hopefully.

Rogan shook his head.

“I’m sorry. We did not search the remains carefully. I had a badly bruised arm, and it was a hard fight. The armour your husband made was excellent.”

“Please, sire,” said Inga, close to tears. “We must look. The spell keeping him alive is wearing out. He will die when it stops.”

“Please don’t be upset,” said Rogan gently. “The Knight fell on the riverbank near a small town called Ingford. It is a three‑day ride for horsemen, longer in your cart.”

“Then we must set off at once,” said Inga. She blushed. “I’m sorry, your highness. I didn’t mean to give orders.”

Rogan laughed.

“Don’t worry. I am used to being told what to do by the women in my life. Preparations are already being made.”

Two hours later, they were on their way. Surrounded by mounted soldiers, Inga drove as fast as the cart horse could manage. Babbin sat beside her, still playing with the chain.

Travelling with Prince Rogan was very different from travelling with the performers. At every inn there were fresh horses, hot food, and the best rooms ready. There was even a change of horse for the cart.

Inga protested, but Rogan insisted.

“The sooner we reach Ingford, the better. Your horse will be taken home safely.”

When Inga tried to pay, Rogan waved her off.

“My father pays these inns to be ready for royal travel.”

As promised, three days later they reached the bridge outside Ingford. The soldiers dismounted and spread out along the riverbank where Rogan had fought the Black Knight.

“They’ve replaced the old bridge,” Rogan remarked. “Let’s hope they didn’t disturb the place where the Knight fell.”

The soldiers searched the grass, crawling on hands and knees. To both Rogan’s and Inga’s horror, the sergeant reported that not a single piece of armour could be found.

Their activity did not go unnoticed. A group of townspeople crossed the bridge, led by the mayor. He bowed deeply.

“Your highness, we are delighted to see you again. Is something wrong?”

Rogan introduced the mayor, Walter, to Inga.

“He was a great help in defeating the Knight.”

Walter bowed proudly.

“The people made me mayor afterwards.”

Inga could not bear the delay.

“Please, Prince Rogan said he left the armour here. Where is it?”

“Yes,” added Rogan. “What have you done with it?”

Walter swallowed.

“We meant no harm. It seemed a shame to leave it to rust, so we gathered it up and put it back together. It stands guard by the town gates. Come and see.”

He led them over the bridge. Sure enough, the Knight stood beside the gates, hand on its sword.

Rogan shivered.

“That makes me uneasy. It looks just as it did when I fought it.”

He walked around it. “You even found the key to wind it up.”

“Everything is there,” said Walter proudly. “Everything except the workings.”

Inga stamped her foot.

“But did you find a small golden acorn?”

Walter shook his head.

“No, ma’am. We searched carefully. We used everything we found. The only piece missing was the clockwork part.”

He turned to Rogan.

“If you remember, sire, you found it and took it with you.”

Rogan smacked his forehead.

“Of course! I gave the metal lump to the man who made the workings. I thought he might like a souvenir.”

He turned to Inga.

“I am so sorry. I should have remembered. But I’m sure there was no gold in it, just rusty metal. Though… it did look a bit like a heart.”

“Where does this man live?” cried Inga. “We must leave immediately. Babbin grows weaker every day. His heart grows fainter each night. He cannot last much longer.”

Rogan looked at the sky.

“I’m sorry, Inga, but we cannot leave for Wilford until morning. It is nearly dark. We are close to the Wraith lands, and it is not safe, even for soldiers.”

Inga stamped her foot and began to argue.

Walter stepped in.

“The Prince is right, my lady. We close the gates at dusk. As you can see, we light torches around the square. The Wraiths cannot stand the light.”

Inga looked around. Every house had torches fastened to it.

“Indeed, it is time they were lit,” said Walter. “The torch‑man will be starting his rounds. Your highness, you would be welcome to dine with me. Your men can stay in the town. And, my lady, we have an excellent doctor. You may take your invalid to him for the night.”

Inga was too distressed to argue. She and Babbin were led to a house on the corner of the square.