The Enchanted Quest by Frewin Jones Page A

his neck and lace at his wrists. Crystal buckles glinted on his boots.
    Now Tania could see that Rathina was standing a few feet away, her arms twisted behind her back, held by a huge man. Close at her side Connor was on his knees, held down by two other men; one of them pressed a sword blade to Connor’s neck.
    Rathina’s face was full of defiance. “Sister,” she called, “are you well?”
    “Sisters, is it?” said the bearded man. He looked sharply at Tania. “You will speak sense to me, mare, or I’ll have the young dog’s head from his shoulders.” He gestured casually toward Connor. “Am I understood in this?”
    Connor lifted his head, and Tania saw the fear and helplessness in his eyes.
    “I understand,” Tania said, forcing the anger out of her voice. She turned to Rathina. “I’m okay,” she said. “Don’t worry about me. What about you?”
    “A few buffets, forsooth, but I bend like the willow and am not easily broken.”
    “Connor?”
    He nodded but didn’t speak. A sharp crystal blade grazed his throat.
    The bearded man’s eyes narrowed. “Whence come you, mare?” he asked. “I know not your accent, and there are alien words in your speech.”
    “My name is Tania, not mare .” She brought a note of Faerie royalty into her voice, hoping it might give the man something to think about. “And before I tell you anything else, I’d like to know who you are and by whose authority you have attacked us.”
    “I am Theodore Welsh,” said the man, and there now seemed to be an intrigued note in his voice. “Commodore in service to Lord Balor.” He said this last name as though he expected Tania to recognize it. “And now give a full account of yourself and your companions and your purpose upon Lord Balor’s waters or you will rue it.” His face tightened. “And speak no riddles, neither, woman. I have heard nonsense enough from the lad and threats aplenty from your ebon-haired sister.”
    “A sword in my hand is all I ask of you, Theodore Welsh,” Rathina snarled. “And then bring your men upon me in whatsoever numbers you choose. I’ll spit ’em like sucklings!”
    “Be still, woman!” shouted Welsh. “Or I’ll send you home without a tongue in your head. And belike your father will thank me for it as a great kindness upon his house!”
    Tania lifted her head and looked directly into Welsh’s eyes, summoning all that she had learned of Faerie dignity and propriety. They had not even reached the shores of Alba and already their quest was in the balance. She needed to gain time to think. “I am Princess Tania Aurealis of the Immortal Realm of Faerie,” she said, speaking loudly enough so that Welsh’s men could hear her. “My sister is Princess Rathina Aurealis, and our companion is Connor Estabrook, a good friend whose death the House of Aurealis would take hard, Master Welsh.” She paused for a moment to let this information sink in. “We are on the business of King Oberon and Queen Titania of Faerie. You would do well to return us to our boat and let us go peacefully on our way.”
    There was incredulous silence for a moment and then laughter rang through the ship. Theodore Welsh grinned at her.
    “A pretty fancy, maid,” he scoffed. “But when I was a babe, my nanny told me that the Faerie folk were winged and very tiny indeed—and that they wore clothes made from leaves and petals.”
    “Then your nanny was mistaken, I’d say,” replied Tania, trying to ignore the mockery of the sailors that surrounded them.
    “Come, tell a more worthy tale,” said Welsh. “Whence come you?” He looked her up and down. “Ha! I’d vow your father knows none of your errantry. What was it that brought you here? A wager? A game of truth or dare? A mishappenstance? Ill fortune and a capricious wind?”
    “My sister is telling you the truth,” called Rathina. “Are you so witless that you do not recognize royalty?”
    Theodore Welsh drew his sword and took a step toward her,