The Secret of Spring (30 page)

Spring mistook his prolonged silence for agreement. "I don't blame you for feeling as you do, Herb," she said.

Feeling as he did? If only he could tell her! But before he could gather his courage, Cling Ling was rolling back to them.

"The cooling unit is there. It means the Freezer made its delivery," he reported. "Our misadventures on this planet have delayed us more than I anticipated."

"And Lily?" asked Herb, fearing the worst.

"Alive. I am certain of it. I overheard a maid mention the 'Master's patient' in the kitchen. It must be she."

Both
Spring
and Herb were heartened by the news. Lily alive! Then there was hope.

Cling Ling believed Lily was being held in one of the tower rooms, possibly a medical laboratory. He had observed the maid coming from there with her tray. She did not appear to be guarded, but in her condition, it would hardly be necessary. And besides, where could she go?

He had seen only one grounds patrolman, but he was a giant of a man. If they timed it correctly, however, they might invade the castle before his round was completed, and then escape the same way. It was decided Herb and
Spring
would enter the castle alone, and Cling would remain close by to watch and act as backup as he had at the greenhouse, though they hoped with more success. They had learned from that fiasco not to take chances. This rescue had to succeed.

Herb realized his declaration to
Spring
would have to wait, and perhaps that was best, after all. They followed closely behind Cling Ling as he led them over the lowered moat bridge, inside the castle walls. The imposing front gate had two huge eyes painted at the top. It gave the otherwise lovely castle an eerie look. So much for good taste,
Spring
thought.

Cling Ling pointed out a small window that was unlatched, and took up his own vigil as look-out near the entrance. Herb boosted
Spring
up and through the window by clasping her waist and lifting, while she caught the ledge and pulled up. His heart quickened at the movement of her hips as she gained entry and dropped to the other side. He gave a jump and caught onto the ledge, following after her.

Fortunately, they found themselves alone in the big hall. It was typically medieval in decor, with much armor and woven tapestries around the walls. They crept stealthily down the side, into a narrow passageway.

"Which way now?" whispered
Spring
.

"The tower's on the left, so that way and any stairs, I guess."

They opened several doors, but none seemed to lead upstairs. The first floor was strangely deserted, a fact which began to disturb Herb, but he didn't want to upset
Spring
. So far, they had met no opposition, but how long could their luck hold?

"Herb?" Spring asked, gesturing to a couple more doors at the side.

"Just keep looking until we find Lily, or get caught trying," Herb said.

"That's what I'm afraid of. One session with Elton was enough."

"I agree. And I had a bad thought. If the Freezer has arrived,
it's
possible Elton isn't far behind. He could be here now, for all we know."

"We'll just have to chance it,"
Spring
said, spotting one last door, and cautiously opening it. At last! It was a winding stair. "This has to lead to the tower."

Herb nodded agreement, and closed the door quietly behind them. Small torches lit the way up the treacherous steps.

They climbed cautiously and carefully to the top, stopping outside on the landing. Spring edged the door slowly open. Seeing no one inside, she nodded to Herb, and they rushed inside, latching the door behind them.

It wasn't a torture chamber, at least. In fact, it was more like a ritzy hospital room,
Spring
observed. There were cabinets with all sorts of medications and bookshelves, and there at the corner was a built-up bed of medieval fashion with thick curtains draped along the sides, obscuring the view of whoever was inside. Could it really be?

"Lily!" Herb cried.

"Herb!" she answered. "Is it you?"

Herb pushed aside the curtains as
Spring
stood beside him. Lily! She was alive! Herb sank beside her on the edge of the bed, taking her hand. It felt so cool.

Spring reached for her bag of stones and selected a large, violet piece, placing it upon the vital center
chakra
.

"How do you feel, Lily?" she asked.

"That feels nice. Like energy going into me. Is it magic?"

"Magical science. I'll be glad to explain it to you in detail if we manage to escape from here. Do you feel strong enough to walk yet?"

"I don't know. I'm so confused. I was much better, and then when I heard you call, I awoke here-I-it doesn't make any sense."

"Don't worry. It's probably just the effects of the medicines Zygote has given you. I have to admit, he's worked a miracle! Try to stand,"
Spring
urged.

"I'll try," Lily said.

"Zygote helped her?" Herb asked.

"He must have. Look at her,"
Spring
said.

"Yes, the Freezer," Lily said. "Now I remember. The units have built in alarms. When my demise grew imminent, the attendants were alerted. They transplanted me to another unit more suited to my needs. I was wilted, however, and am still very weak. I would not have survived if not for Zygote's magic. But-"

"I don't know why he helped you, Lily. Probably to hold you as a hostage as Elton did before, but in any case we can't lose any more time. We have to get you out of here. Cling Ling is waiting for us outside."

"She's right, Lily. Here, lean against me." Herb put a supporting arm around her waist and guided her as
Spring
led the way to the door, opening it. She jumped back with a small cry, gasping "Zygote!"

The tall, wizened magician entered and closed the door behind him, a benevolent smile playing at the sides of his mouth. "Yes, my dear
Spring
. We meet at last. But then, I have been expecting you for some time," he said.

"No one saw us enter," Herb said.

"No? It is said the walls have ears. Here, they have eyes as well." He smiled.

"The front gate! Those ugly, painted eyes! It was one of your tricks,"
Spring
said.

"Yes, they are a bit unsettling, but what they lack in beauty, they compensate well in usefulness. I observed your every move from the moment you entered these walls."

"Then, you knew from the start that Lily wasn't me?" Spring asked.

"Oh, yes dear. I was quite aware we had received a substitute in your stead. You are forgetting, I too, am a physician. I know nonhuman physiognomy when I perceive it, and the Freezer ride did little to aid her disguise." He observed
Spring's
green makeup. "But you look charming."

Anger surged up in Herb. He released Lily and rushed Zygote. He bounced off harmlessly into the wall, a foolish surprised expression on his face. Spring went to his aid.

Zygote looked on patiently. "As a magician I have a multitude of defenses at my disposal much less pleasant than that, young man. You would do well to remember it."

Herb got to his feet scowling. Only his pride was injured, however.

"Be careful, Herb," Lily cautioned, leaning against a shelf for support, since Herb had left her.

"She's right, Herb,"
Spring
agreed. "He's dangerous as a scorpion. Don't provoke him."

Herb had no notion what a scorpion was, but he had some ideas of the powers magicians possessed. Of course Zygote would be protected. Herb had acted by reflex, allowing his emotions to rule over judgment. It was clear they could not win by force alone. He stood sulking, but said nothing more.

"A wise attitude," Zygote commended
Spring
. "My powers have served me well in the past, and with your added knowledge, I doubt there is a force in the known universe that could successfully oppose me."

"Then-Lily-you haven't?" Herb ventured, knowing Zygote fully understood his meaning.

"Molested this charming young woman? Hardly." He turned a paternal eye to Lily. "But this is an outrage. You should not be allowed to stand like that." He led her to a nearby chair and saw her seated. "Forgive my neglect, but as you see, pressing matters required my attention. Your well-meaning friends may have cost you the strength we have worked so hard to regain."

Lily accepted the chair quietly, leaning back with obvious exhaustion. Herb felt guilty for taxing her strength in the weakened state, but there was no avoiding it if they were to escape. She probably would not have made it outside the castle even if Zygote hadn't intercepted them. Her infirmity was an element they had not fully anticipated. Their mission had been doomed from the beginning.

Zygote returned his gaze to them now. "As I was saying, I realized you had slipped from my trap when I first saw Lily. But I have great respect for all types of life forms, as you would know if permitted the run of my extensive grounds. Alas, it is not possible to extend such courtesy. I admit realizing you would probably come to retrieve her, but I have no desire to harm such a lovely creature."

"We met one of your creations, Zygote,"
Spring
interjected. "Sorry to inform you, but your friend Jasmine, is now just another lawn decoration."

The magician's brow went up in genuine surprise. "You
nulled
Jasmine? Truly, I have underestimated you."

"Well, don't get all broken up about it,"
Spring
said, sarcastically. "I suppose you can just conjure up a replacement." She did not bother to conceal her disgust.

"Hardly. No, I'm afraid the lovely Jasmine was one of my failures. We all make mistakes, you know. Once she had her full powers, she was quite uncontrollable. We had an uneasy truce between us, but I never turned my back. She did so enjoy practicing her talent."

"But all those statues. People. The servants said she silenced them by your command," insisted Herb.

"My command? She would take no order from me, dear boy," Zygote scoffed. "It would be just like Jasmine to place the blame elsewhere, and perpetuate her innocent act. I suppose it helped keep the servants in line."

Herb reluctantly agreed with the line of reasoning. She did seem innocent. It was not likely she would worry about using Zygote for an excuse. Herb knew only too well how she enjoyed her power for its own sake. The memory of his close call brought on an involuntary shudder.

"I would believe him,
Spring
," Lily said, revived by her brief rest. "He has treated me well, except for my confinement." She looked around the small room.

"To keep you from harming yourself, only, dear Lily," Zygote answered. "I assure you, you are still too weak to wander very far. It was best you not try."

"I'm glad you've been less the monster than we supposed, Zygote,"
Spring
said. "But the fact remains that you caused my father's death."

"That," Zygote said grimly, "was an unfortunate affair, which I deeply regret. The overly zealous bitch I hired to induce your father to cooperate became carried away by blood lust. Yet, I believe he would have survived had not young Elton lost his temper." He looked genuinely chagrined. "I needed your father's help to implement the information you store. If only he had been more reasonable, he would be yet with us. I had great respect for him, whether or not you believe that."

Fury swept over
Spring's
face. "So it was Elton! But it was your fault. If you had left my father alone, it would never have happened!" Her rage turned to despair as she remembered.

"Yes. I concede that much. Still, however I regret the means, there remains the end to accomplish," Zygote said meaningfully. "Else, all has been for naught, and that would be hideous, considering the price."

"I won't let you touch her," Herb exclaimed angrily. He grabbed up a glass container and threw it at the tall magician's face. It, too, hit against the invisible barrier, shattering to the floor as the others dodged the sharp, flying bits.

"Really, Herb," Zygote sighed. "This becomes tiresome. I can see if you keep this up, you'll succeed only in harming the ladies, and probably yourself." He snapped his fingers and the door clicked behind him. He moved aside to admit a fierce giant of a man. Probably the guard Cling Ling mentioned roaming the grounds earlier.

Herb was thankful Cling Ling retained his freedom. Perhaps even now he had conceived some plan to set them free. The last time they had tried to rescue Lily, they had met with the same lack of success. History had a way of repeating itself in discouraging ways.

"Show our friends to one of the guest rooms downstairs,
Larg
," Zygote ordered.

Large? That was an apt name for the monster. They were hassled back down the narrow stairway, but did not emerge on the first floor. Instead, they continued on through a different door leading farther down. This time they ended up deep beneath the castle walls in a section of dungeons.

Lily was not among their number. Zygote evidently still considered her as a patient under his protection. Though they had to be separated, Herb was thankful that Zygote seemed to bear her no ill will for her part in the deception.