Once In a Blue Moon (65 page)

“That’s not quite how they tell the story, in those parts of the Forest that used to be Hillsdown,” murmured Bertram. “Even after the great rejoining, after our King Stephen married their Queen Felicity and we all agreed to be chums again.”

“Of course,” said Richard. “No, you’re right. We can’t use this. The sword’s history would make it divisive. Not a good thing during a war.”

Bertram peered about him, at all the long rows of weapons hanging on the walls, and shrugged. “There are thousands and thousands of perfectly good weapons here, your highness. You name it, and we’ve got it somewhere. Even I don’t know exactly how many . . . I keep meaning to do an inventory, but there’s always something happening to distract me. And I’m sure some of them move around when I’m not looking . . .”

Richard stared down the long, shadowy hall. They’d been walking for some time, but the end didn’t seem any closer. “I never knew the Armoury was this big . . .”

“Oh, it wasn’t, before today,” said the Armourer. “I know this place inside out, and upside down, and I am here to tell you I never saw it stretch away this far before. It’s as though all the old lost and forgotten and forbidden weapons are waking up and taking their place in the world again. Space inside the Armoury has to expand, to fit in all the weapons determined to be used . . .”

“Where is the Rainbow Sword?” said Hawk.

Bertram looked at him. “And which sword might that be, sir Hawk?”

Hawk glared at the Armourer. “The Rainbow Sword! The sword Prince Rupert used to call down the Rainbow, in the sick heart of the Darkwood, to defeat and banish the Demon Prince at the end of the Demon War!
That
Rainbow Sword!”

“I’m sorry, sir Hawk,” said the Armourer, and he certainly sounded like he meant it, “but I really don’t recognise the sword you’re talking about.”

But Prince Richard did. He caught Hawk’s eye, and indicated with a quick jerk of his head that he thought the two of them should talk privately. Hawk nodded, and he and Richard moved off into the shadows, out of earshot of the others. Catherine started to go after them, just on general principles, but Gillian grabbed her by an arm and held her back. Catherine immediately pulled her arm free but stayed where she was.

“The Rainbow Sword isn’t part of official history,” Richard said harshly to Hawk. “It’s a secret part of my family’s history, passed down only through the Royal line, by word of mouth. So how do you know about it? I want the truth from you now, Hawk, or whoever you really are. Who are you? How can you know things that only members of Forest Royalty are allowed to know?”

Hawk smiled at him. “Don’t you know, Richard? Haven’t you worked it out yet? I’ve given you enough clues. Think. Who would I have to be, to know the things I know, and do the things I do?”

And just like that, Richard understood. The truth hit him like a blow to the head. His face went pale and his eyes widened. It all came together at once. Richard tried to say something but couldn’t get the words out. He started to kneel to Hawk, but Hawk wouldn’t let him. Instead, he took Richard by the arms, pulled him forward, and hugged him. Richard hugged him back. Not just because he finally recognised a living legend, but because family is always family.

Catherine couldn’t believe what she was seeing. She turned to Gillian. “Do you know what’s going on there?”

“Maybe,” said Gillian.

“Talk to me! I’m a Princess!” said Catherine.

“And I run a Brotherhood of Steel Sorting House,” said Gillian. “I win.”

“I can’t believe it’s really you!” said Richard, as the two men finally let go of each other and stood back. Richard didn’t even try to hide the awe and shock and hero worship running through him. “Prince Rupert . . . come back to us, in the hour of our greatest need! I mean, yes, I know you came back before, to investigate Grandfather Harald’s death, but . . . Oh my God! If you’re Hawk, then Fisher . . . She’s Princess Julia, isn’t she? Oh my God! Only the Royal family know that was you two, before, and some of us never really believed it, but . . . I’m babbling, aren’t I? Sorry, I can’t help it.
You’re back!
”

“No one else needs to know,” said Hawk.

Richard studied Hawk carefully. “You don’t look a bit like your official portrait.”

“I know,” said Hawk. “It’s a travesty. I may sue.”

“Hold everything,” said Richard. “You must be over a hundred years old now.”

“Well over,” said Hawk. “And some mornings I feel every day of it. I need industrial-strength coffee just to work up the energy to cough up half a lung.”

“But . . . how?”

“Wild Magic,” said Hawk. “And if you’re wise, you’ll settle for that.”

“Who else knows?” said Richard. “No! Wait a minute! Your dog . . . that’s the real Chappie, isn’t it? I mean, the original! Not just a descendant . . .”

“Do you need to breathe into a paper bag for a while?” said Hawk.

“No! No, I’m fine . . . It’s not easy, you know, suddenly realising you’re surrounded by living legends. I wish my father were well enough to meet you. He’d get such a thrill out of it. He’s the one who told me all the old stories about you when I was a child.”

Hawk grinned. “Never take songs and legends too seriously. That’s what got me into trouble in the first place.”

“Oh my God!” Richard went all wide-eyed again. “Jack and Gillian are your children! And Raven and Mercy are your grandchildren! Damn . . .” Richard shot a quick look back at Gillian, still standing with Catherine. “She looks so much older than you . . . Still, I feel a whole lot better knowing you’ve come home again. An entire lineage of heroes, returned to save us all!” He stopped suddenly. “Ah . . . This is going to complicate the hell out of the Royal line of succession.”

“No it isn’t,” Hawk said firmly. “We’re not interested. Now, Richard, no one else is to know who Fisher and I really are. I mean it. Even if I’m not very good at hiding it, the fact remains that no one else needs to know. Understand?”

“Frankly, no!” said Richard. “Why can’t we tell everyone? Your return would mean so much to the Forest people! It would give them new heart, new confidence, knowing that Prince Rupert and Princess Julia of history and legend had returned to lead them into battle and save us all again!”

“That’s why we can’t reveal ourselves,” Hawk said patiently. “Our arrival now would be seen as . . . significant. People would start talking about Fate, and Destiny. They’d expect us to save them. But this is your time, and your war, Richard. You have to inspire your people and lead them to victory. And sit on the throne afterwards. I didn’t want the throne before and I don’t want it now. That’s why I ran away, all those years ago. I’ll fight for the Forest, but I won’t rule it. And we’re not the only ones who’ve returned. The Demon Prince is involved in everything that’s happening here.”

Richard’s face went pale again. “Of course . . . If you’re back, then he . . . Oh my God. I never really thought of him as . . . real. He was just the monster in the stories, probably as much metaphor as flesh. But if you’re real, then of course he must be too. Damn.
Damn . . .
I feel sick. I can’t fight the Demon Prince, as well as Redhart’s armies!”

“Keep your voice down!” Hawk said sharply. “And get ahold of yourself. Panicking doesn’t help. Trust me; I’ve tried it, and it never got me anywhere. The Demon Prince isn’t as strong as he once was, or he’d be running this war. Not King William. Though it might be a good idea to send some of your people into the Darkwood to see what’s going on there. Make sure it isn’t growing . . .”

“I was in the Darkwood recently,” said Richard. “It was just as bad as all the stories said. I was only able to stand it for a few moments before it drove me out. But you fought whole battles in there! How did you cope?”

“Wasn’t like I had much of a choice,” said Hawk.

“The Darkwood is a more deserted place these days,” said Richard. “No demons. This war will be an entirely human affair.”

“And you’re going to have to lead your people through it,” said Hawk. “Rufus is in no fit state to rule. You’re going to have to be King, and sooner than you thought. Is that going to be a problem? With Parliament, or other claimants?”

“No,” said Richard. “I’m all there is.”

“So, it’s your war, and your army,” said Hawk. “You lead, and they’ll follow. You know the Forest today far better than I do. I think Fisher and I are better off just being your secret weapons. You’d be surprised what we can do . . . And what King William doesn’t know about, he can’t prepare for.”

“If you say so,” said Richard reluctantly.

“Now,” said Hawk. “Where is my Rainbow Sword? Tell me you haven’t lost the bloody thing after all these years!”

“Of course we haven’t!” said Richard, shocked at the very thought. “The family decided, long ago, that the best way to hide the Rainbow Sword was for no one to know it was ever here. Follow me.”

They went back and joined the others, and then Richard led the way deeper into the Armoury, with a far more confident step than he’d shown previously. Catherine moved in close beside him so they could talk quietly.

“What was that all about?”

“Family business,” said Richard. “Turns out, Hawk’s a relation.”

“That’s it? That’s all you have to say?”

“For the moment, yes. Sorry.”

“I will make you pay for this later,” said Catherine.

“Looking forward to it,” said Richard.

Catherine smiled despite herself, and slipped her arm through his again. “Tell me something, Richard.”

“If I can.”

“I see all sorts of weapons hanging on these walls, but not a single shield anywhere. Why is that?”

“Not really the Forest style of defence,” said Richard. “Our way has always been everything forward and trust in the Lord. Put everything you’ve got into your attack, and don’t stop till they’re all dead. We don’t hide behind things. Not our way.”

“That’s either the bravest or the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard,” said Catherine.

Richard just shrugged. “We’re still here, and our enemies mostly aren’t.”

He led the way past hundreds of other weapons, gleaming bright and brave on the walls to either side or shining with supernatural glamour inside display cases. Until finally he brought them to a far corner, and there it was, standing alone and unmarked. The Rainbow Sword. Hawk recognised it immediately. He stood and stared at the old sword while the others gathered around him.

“I don’t understand,” said Bertram Pettydew. “It’s just a sword! I mean, look at it! Nothing special about it . . . In fact, it could do with a good clean.”

There was no brass plaque for this sword, no name or display. Just a sword with a long blade, standing alone in its own quiet corner. Nothing to draw attention to it; just an ordinary, everyday sword with sharp edges and a good balance. Exactly as it had first appeared to Rupert, all those years ago, when he made the Rainbow Run through the long night of the Darkwood, to call down the Rainbow and win his prize. Not for him, but so he could save others. He smiled, remembering, and then reached out to take the sword.

“Careful!” Bertram said quickly. “All the weapons beyond this point are magically protected! Only those of Royal blood can touch these swords!”

And then he broke off as Hawk drew the Rainbow Sword out of its shadowed corner, handling it with casual ease and familiarity. The long steel blade shone brightly in the gloom, and Hawk grinned broadly, remembering many things.

Bertram Pettydew all but fainted when Hawk just took the sword. He looked wildly around, as though expecting Hawk to be cut down by lightning bolts, or plagues of frogs. He turned to Richard, waving both hands in an agitated fashion.

“How is this possible, your highness? The magical protections are all in place; I reset them myself just the other day! And why was the identity of this sword kept from me? I’m supposed to know everything about the weapons here! I’m the bloody Armourer! Oh no, don’t you smile at me, your highness. Don’t you dare! This is all my responsibility!”

“It’s family business,” Richard said lightly. And Bertram actually stamped his carpet-slippered foot in frustration.

“Oh!” said Catherine, smiling suddenly. “I get it!”

“You do?” said Bertram.

“Of course! Hawk is related to the Forest Royal line, but on the wrong side of the blanket! Right? Someone’s little indiscretion? That’s how he knows things, and how he was able to take the sword; and why you didn’t want to talk about it, Richard.”

“Well,” said Richard, “something like that.”

Catherine snorted loudly and patted him on the arm. “Don’t look so concerned, Richard. I’m not shocked. Such things do happen, even in the most regulated Royal families.”

Hawk strapped the Rainbow Sword in place so that it hung opposite to his axe. It felt like having an old friend at his side once again.

Gillian cleared her throat loudly, to draw everyone’s attention. The grey-haired warrior woman looked at them all sternly. “All right! Prince Richard has Lawgiver, and Hawk has his Rainbow Sword. I want something.”

“Me too!” said Catherine.

Hawk and Richard exchanged understanding looks. “Gillian was just the same as a child,” Hawk said quietly. He looked at Bertram. “Well? What else have you got that’s . . . interesting?”

“Why ask me?” Bertram said sulkily. “What do I know? I’m only the Armourer . . .”

“Then act like one!” said Hawk. “Or I’ll set fire to your wig.”

Bertram looked at him. “What wig?”

“Armourer . . . ,” said Richard.

“Oh, all right! All right! I’m thinking . . . I suppose there’s always the Cestus . . .”

“Lead me to it,” said Gillian.

The Cestus turned out to be a cunningly constructed silver gauntlet, made of many small pieces moving together; shining gently in its own glass display case. The sign attached gave the name, and a straightforward message:
Break glass in case of war, sudden invasion, or imminent apocalypse.

“It’s old,” said Bertram, as they all looked doubtfully at the gauntlet. “And not exactly aesthetically pleasing. Far too . . . jointy, for my taste. But very magical. Supposedly created by the High Warlock himself.”