Tancred’s Castle
The great painting had grown in size as Alexander was determined to charge Tancred a hefty fee for the commission. Twice as high as Platov and four times as long, the boys struggled to bring the massive board outside so that Alexander could paint the scene. Set upon a large stand of lashed together tree limbs, the wind threatened to carry the work off. Then with brushes in each hand, Alexander painted the great tree of knowledge while the boys found something else to do. Inspired, Alexander painted the Castle of Tancred in the background with dreamy misty shades of gray. By the end of the day, the painting was a tranquil landscape with a gray castle of stone in the background. The great tree of knowledge was set perfectly on the golden mean. Platov and Tate carried the work back inside the studio, took their copper coin and hurried off.
By daybreak, Alexander was in a temperamental fit. Tancred was coming to view the commission and that was the last thing in the world that Alexander needed. The audacity of clients to personally oversee a commission of art!
In Alexander’s foul mood, Platov was put through five costume changes while Tate was put through six. Dissatisfied with all of them, Alexander ripped apart his costumes looking for what he envisioned. Finally settling on long waist length tunics made of green leather, Platov pulled that over his head. Tate was adorned with a grayish blue tunic and a silver sword. Then Platov stood in the position that he had been twisted into several times already.
“The Stone of Cuore!” Alexander demanded.
Platov retrieved the stone and held it in his hand while making it glow ever so perfectly. The studio lit up with a soft undulating light.
“The Sage!” Alexander bellowed after he realized that was missing.
Tate retrieved the Sage from Platov and then they posed.
Alexander threw his brushes on the floor and stomped around. Then pushing the two around and rearranging their arms and stance as if they were made of wooden sticks, Alexander stood back. He framed the models with his hands. Then he began to paint and oddly for Alexander, quietly. Told to stand perfectly still, Tate and Platov flinched and fidgeted. A bee came in through the window and circled around them both. Alexander sneezed and grumbled. Then Tate sneezed and Alexander looked perturbed while Tate put himself back into position. The bee swarmed around Platov’s head and both boys were complaining that their arms ached from being held up so long. After several hours both were exhausted, but Alexander was not about to take a rest.
“Very well then,” Alexander finally allowed them to rest.
“There is nothing so hard as standing perfectly still,” Tancred said jovially as he had come in the door unannounced. He studied the painting while Alexander pretended obnoxiously that the wizard was not even there.
“An artist hates to be observed while working,” Tancred said as he took a seat. “Come here Platov and Tate.”
Obediently, the boys approached the old wizard.
“Did you know that you have two enemies?” Tancred asked in a low voice. “One for taking the Stone of Cuore and the other for escaping with the Sage.”
Platov nodded. “Wraith kept me locked inside a foul cave.”
“I do not blame you,” Tancred said. “But have you given any thought to what you will do with both Scorch and Wraith come looking for you?”
“I am not afraid,” Platov replied.
“You are brave,” Tancred said. “According to Sabian you have already once defeated Wraith. But he is not vanquished.”
“Platov, don the robe and stand on the stool!” Alexander demanded. He was ignoring Tancred entirely.
Tancred chuckled and watched as Platov struggled with a long faded blue robe that was longer than he was tall. Then Platov climbed up on a stool while Alexander arranged the folds of the robe to his liking. Trinkets and charms were hung from the rope belt while a Staff was placed in Platov’s hand. Sensing the Staff to be just a stick of wood with a fancy gemstone on top, Platov felt no magic in it.
“Platov do you know what the Sage truly is?” Tancred asked.
“No sir,” Platov replied while trying not to move a single facial muscle as that would bring Alexander’s wrath.
“Neither do I,” Tancred said.
“It speaks when asked,” Platov said.
Alexander was looking miffed that his client was having a conversation with his models. With a huff, he sketched out the gray wizard.
“Some believe the Sage is an oracle of the future,” Tancred said. “Once thousands of years ago the orb was presented to the King of Timare. Legend has it, that the Sage made false prophecies. Did you know that?”
“Why do you ask Platov these questions as if I were not even here?” The Sage stated.
“Curiosity,” Tancred said. “Take no offense.”
“I am not an oracle of the future, nor am I flawed as your type have long believed,” Sage said defiantly. “I do not serve greedy wizards nor do I serve power lusting men! If you are to ask me of the future, then I will show you a future that suits you. It is not my purpose, perhaps you will be the second of your kind to understand that point.”
“The Sage of Cent Fois, a mystery,” Tancred stroked his long beard after apologizing albeit with a tad of insincerity. “A name that I had heard, but one that I had to dig deeply into long forgotten chronicles to find any reference to. We have the Stone of Cuore and the Sage of Cent Fois. An interesting combination held in the hands of one very young wizard. Tell me, you say that I am the second to understand. Who is the first?”
“Platov,” Sage replied glacially.
“After this painting is revealed, everyone will know where you are,” Tancred sat back in his chair and turned his attention to Platov who was standing on the stool still holding a Staff. The Staff did not even remotely resemble Tancred’s Staff, yet Alexander was painting the scene perfectly as if it did. “An amazing talent to paint from memory. I have not seen you once turn around and examine my Staff.”
Alexander miffed that the client was speaking to him while he was working, turned and stared at Tancred. Then he took in the sight of the Staff and deciding upon a few changes to his painting, he dashed a slight change of color onto the upper purple colored gemstone.
“Sage, I shall take the time to understand your point-of-view,” Tancred said.
Alexander glared at Platov as if it were his fault the client was talking.
“I can see that I am disturbing you,” Tancred stood up. Excusing himself he strolled toward the door. “We shall keep this painting a secret, let no one else see it.”
Alexander glared, but as long as he was paid, he did not care what closet Tancred decided to hang the painting in.
“Tate! Take Platov’s place. He fidgets too much!” Alexander bellowed. “No more talking!”
Obediently, Platov stepped down from the stool and pulled off the heavy wizard robe. Passing it to Tate, he stepped away to sit in the shadows.
“Hold still!” Alexander demanded his mood was darkening as were the shadows around the figures in his work of art.
Tate tightened his grip on the Staff in his right hand and held his breath so as to not move a muscle. Then he fell off the stool much to Alexander’s complete outrage. Apologizing, he fixed the stool and climbed back up. Enraged, Alexander stepped out from behind the painting and straightened Tate’s robe so that it draped properly. Then he twisted Tate’s arm so that the Staff would be more prominent.
“Stand still,” Alexander bellowed angrily. “And do not fall off again!”
…
“A triumph!” Tancred praised as he studied the completed painting several days later. The massive painting depicted a benevolent wizard imparting his wisdom onto two young boys. In an unusual style, Alexander had captured the light and likeness of his subjects masterfully. Perhaps one day it would be regarded as Alexander’s greatest masterpiece. Worthy of being hung in the finest of castles, the painting was still drying and the smell of oils pungent.
“Now, disguise the Sage
and the Stone of Cuore so that they cannot be recognized,” Tancred insisted.
“Disguise them?” Alexander flashed with perturbed aggravation. He was not accustomed to clients making demands.
“That is right,” Tancred said. “Paint over the stone and Sage so that one day when the paint is removed the truth will be discovered.”
“I cannot paint over them,” Alexander scoffed in unbridled irritation.
“Wait until the paint is dry and then cover them in thin mysterious clouds,” Tancred tactfully held his ground. “Bring the painting to my castle next week. I am expecting visitors. Your painting will be viewed by many important people, perhaps they will commission you. Deliver the boys to me and I will pay you for both and the painting at the same time. A silver for each boy, and four gold for the painting.”
“Four gold?” Alexander’s foul mood vanished. For a fortune of that size he would paint the entire painting in a mysterious cloud. Then he glanced at Platov as he considered receiving the silvers for apprentices that were not even his. He smirked as selling the boys to Tancred were a bit of a bonus. With a change of attitude, he pointed out how he would make the painting keep it secrets. Satisfied, Tancred left the studio.
“I do not want to be apprenticed to Tancred,” Platov complained.
“You have no choice,” Alexander taunted the boys. “As you are my apprentices I have the privilege of selling you when I no longer want you. Besides both of you are not even worth a copper. A silver apiece!”
“You are too kind,” Platov said. “I will tell Tancred that we were not apprenticed to you. Then he will be angry.”
Alexander laughed rancorously. “He will not believe you!”
Then just in spite Platov left with Tate to find some place else to spend the day.
“We could run away,” Tate suggested.
“Go back to the river,” Platov agreed.
“I would go with Tancred,” Sage stated.
Platov shrugged as the Sage was never wrong. Besides, Alexander was a beast of master to serve.
“Three meals a day and a warm place to sleep,” the Sage said. “Indulge the old wizard by letting him teach you. Maybe you might even learn a worthy trick or two. Lord Tancred is a kindly man that will benefit both of you greatly.”
Chapter 9: Important Visitors