Scene Forty Five
The scene through Will’s eyes. Behind him, the door of the castle flies open.
Will felt another magic strengthening his shields, putting extra force in his punches. Had Quicksilver freed himself?
Turning to where he felt that magic, Will met the eye of — he opened his mouth in shock and, for a moment, almost lost control -- Quicksilver stood, free, behind Will; but even as Will watched, Quicksilver melted and changed, and the Lady Silver smiled at him.
Naked as the day she’d seen light, she was pale and beautiful, cloaked only in her silken black hair. Her silver eyes shone impishly, and she said. “You are gifted in magic use, Will, for a beginner.”
And in saying it, she took hold of his newfound power and threw it at their enemy.
Will felt his stomach churn and his teeth rattle with the force of his own punch.
“I’m too old for this,” he said, looking at the lady and at Miranda who, behind her, seemed to hesitate still.
But Silver grinned and said, “To me, my friend, you shall never be old.”
Their gazes locked, and Will realized with a shock that Silver did mean what she said. She didn’t see him as old or unattractive.
He felt a blush of gratified pride warm his cheeks.
The lady loved him still, who had so adored him in his youth.
In her eyes, he saw himself as young and, dazzled by her affection, he failed to feel the magical punch from Proteus that threw him to the ground.
“Will,” Silver screamed.
His face hurt. His eyes fogged in pain. Will said, “Care not for me, for you must defend us all.”
Silver turned. Will felt her shield go up, but feared it would be too little too late. Then he felt another power yet join their conjoined powers.
This power was stronger than all of theirs.
The door of the magical white castle flew open wide.
“Father,” a man’s voice called.
Down the steps a man came running, a young man of maybe twenty attired in red and blue silk. It took Will a few seconds and a hasty breath to recognize Hamnet. But he could feel Hamnet’s power touching his, shoring his, like soothing water upon abraded skin.
“Father,” Hamnet said, and smiled at Will. Sparks flew around them. The centaurs neighed and screamed as fireballs singed their hair. The Lady Silver, naked and noble like a goddess of old, stood with hands raised and shaped the crackling magic to righteous assault of the unrighteous foe.
Now Miranda also rose and, looking very oddly at Hamnet, drew herself to stand behind the Lady, supporting Silver’s magic with her own.
Under their conjoined command, flames of magic fire erupted round the centaurs’ hooves.
Miranda, looking dazed, still held in her hand the net of Circe.
Proteus, pale, his lips white and trembling, stood his ground despite the flames that licked at his broad shoulders, his noble features. Hamnet threw himself into Will’s open arms. “I’ve been raised by the Hunter these long years, but I knew you’d come and rescue me; I was sure of it.”
Will felt his eyes burn with tears but turned away. “Let us first be safe,” he said. “And then shall we talk of all the years wasted.”
Speaking thus, he turned towards the enemy who, in a disarrayed group, stood facing them.
Hamnet’s power, and -- Will realized -- Hamnet’s knowledge of magic, had joined in had given them victory.
The centaurs buckled and fell backwards, whinnying and crying. Proteus alone stood, staring.
Madness burned in his eyes.
“Oh, I am betrayed,” he said. “I am undone. I, who loved the Lady Miranda well, and loved her true.”