by J. R. Castle
Leon sighed. “Probably so. Let me help you get your geese safely back in their pen. It’s getting late.”
“Oh, don’t worry, Regent Leon. You’ll be late for sure if you—”
“Nonsense. It’s on the way.” He clapped his hands, shooing the geese from his strawberry patch and directing them onto the path. He wished to invite Kardia to his dinner but knew she’d deny his invitation. Rightly so, since she was considered nothing more than staff. A goose girl. Not someone who would be welcomed to such an important dinner as he had to attend.
Why did he see her as so much more than everyone else saw her? Brock liked her and spoke to her like he would anyone of his close friends. He didn’t see the goose girl as someone beneath him. For a Curian, that was saying something.
“Will you really send teachers out to all the towns?” she asked, flicking her stick at one of the slower geese.
“I think it’s a brilliant idea. Truly. And yes, I’m going to start working on it right away.”
She seemed to breathe out a sigh of relief. “How wonderful. Miltie and I were teaching some of the children of the village what we did know about Shaydon. Or Miltie actually did most of the teaching. Usually, I played my mandolin to help keep them calm. Or I’d make little puppets to act out some of the tales. We had so much fun doing that together. And the children loved the stories.” She quickly wiped at her face, but not before he caught the glint of a single tear trailing down her cheek.
He started to reach out to comfort her but stopped himself. The sun had sunk behind the mountains, leaving them in purple dusk. Walking her back would spark a whole new round of gossip if they were spotted. He needed to keep a safe distance from her.
“It saddens me to find out how far this province has drifted from Shaydon’s teachings. I’m going to do everything in my power to rectify that. Teachers.” He shook his head. “Such a simple solution, but I’d never….” They’d reached the fowl pens. “Thank you, dear Kardia, for sharing your thoughts with us.”
She stared up at him, her mouth hanging slightly open as if his words jarred her in some way. Slowly, her shock was replaced with a shy smile. She ushered the geese back into their pen and locked the gate. “Enjoy your dinner, Regent Leon. And thank you for the new pens. They mean everything to me.”
Then she rushed off toward the lights of her friend’s quaint home. Leon sighed, feeling as if she’d taken a part of his heart with her.
When he finally reached the dining hall, he found that he was the first to arrive, instead of the last as he’d feared. Mother smiled, clasping her hands in front of her. “I’ve figured out that if I tell you to arrive a half hour before something starts, then you’ll arrive almost on time. You know, people will think you don’t care about your station if you keep arriving late. We show up early to the things that matter most to us.”
Leon sat at the head of the table. “That’s so not…true.” At least he didn’t think so. But Mother didn’t stay to debate the matter. She had things to attend to. Since he had some time before the rest of his guests arrived, Leon decided to finally look over Lady Anabelle letter. Now she was someone he could have invited without anyone questioning his reasoning. Or his motives.
Unfurling the letter, his eyes scanned the note that talked about how much she enjoyed the beauty of the farm and how much she was missing him.
I do wish you’d pay me a visit, she’d written in her fine ……scrolling pen. I’m so excited about our future together. When can we announce our engagement to everyone? I’d love to have an autumn ceremony, but if that’s too soon, perhaps we can plan for one in the early spring? When the flowers are in bl—”
The paper crumpled between his hands. When had he asked her to… no, he hadn’t! He wouldn’t have!
Had he?
Chapter Nineteen
With the help of the Imagi-sphere, Darnel managed to find Orelia’s cottage in good time. Securing the horse to the fence post, he took in his surroundings. She now had an alluring little yellow cottage surrounded by bushes of blooming hydrangeas, hollyhocks, and beds of various wildflowers.
He shivered and looked away. Off to the side of the thatched-roofed home grew a herb and vegetable garden. He sighed, remembering the back-breaking work of digging up rocks from her garden area at the last place she’d had her dwelling.
Orelia Ogletree was harmless, as far as one of the Casting Order went. The witch liked to keep a low profile after her sister, the Enchantress Zilvia had been banished from the land. Orelia had let her appearance go, taking on the form of an old peasant woman who enjoyed her garden and cats.
Speaking of such, Darnel searched for Jeidel. A low, warning mew came from the porch railing and there, hidden in a cluster of jasmine vines sat the fat, yellow menace, her glowing eyes glaring right at him. Soon, Orelia would make her appearance. Darnel set up a protective shield around himself as he headed toward the front gate.
He’d not be allowed to enter until she invited him in.
Was she still in the business of entrapping unsuspecting wanderers? The patch of enchanted flowers no longer grew outside of her fence. Had Issah put a stop to that as well as making her move to another location?
Craggy hills surrounded her on all sides, along with the thick Melodies forest. Darnel was sure that if he climbed up to the crest of those cliffs, he’d have a clear view of towns and lands surrounding Radiance.
Strange, she’d pick a place so close, yet sheltered from the grand city. Perhaps she’d not given up her entrapments, after all.
The front door of the cottage burst open with a loud bang.
“Jeidel told me you’d returned,” Orelia said in her trilling voice. “I’d never taken you for a fool, even when you were a whelp of a Mage. Now a man stands before me. I see your shield, so I’ll not waste my energy on you. State your purpose, Darsiderous. Then begone from me mutt of Aloblase. I have no wish—”
“Do not speak that name, Orelia! I am called Darnel, and I belong to only myself. Invite me in. I have a matter of great importance to discuss with you.”
She ambled down to the bottom step, keeping one hand on the railing of her porch. “I’m busy. My time is valuable. What will you offer in payment for me allowing you in and hearing of your so-called plan, Mage? My time does not come cheaply these days.”
Darnel reached for the fat bag of coins Koloman had given him. Giving the coins a little shake so they clattered together, he said, “I have enough here to adequately pay for several hours of—”
“Bah!” She spat on the ground. “I have no use of gold here. I grow and take what I need.” With a wave of her hand, she started back inside.
“No, Orelia, wait! What do you want?” He needed her more desperately than he cared to admit. Without her help, all their hard work, all their plans, would be for nothing. “I need your help, Orelia. Otherwise, I’d not have made such a long trip through these woods to find you.”
She turned toward him again, a satisfied smile deepening the wrinkles covering her ancient cheeks. “Well, since you’re so desperate…” she wagged her gnarled finger at him. “To get in and earn an hour of my time will cost that shield energy you possess.”
Darnel’s breath caught. “Absolutely not! How do I know you won’t strike me with one of your blinding—”
“How do I know you won’t kill me for chasing you away? What are you doing back here anyway, Darnel? I should send Jeidel after you for putting me in such danger. No matter where your allegiance stands, you are a danger to me and anyone else who gets too close. The crown still hunts for you, does he not? Do you not stand in constant fear that someone from his court, or from your bloodline will find you and drag you back to Aloblase? And what will happen to you then, Mage? Mutt? Mutant—”
“Silence yourself or I will kill you, witch.” His fist clenched at his sides. While she stayed in the shelter of her cottage, she was as protected as he was beneath his shield. Perhaps he needed to state his true purpose so she’d see t
hat he wasn’t here to cause harm. At least not to her.
“I cannot give you my shield, Orelia. It keeps me protected, as you know. That’s why you will not step out into your yard. I remember. What I need from you is that potion that controls a human’s mind. Even if they possess a Medallion. That’s what I’ve come for. I know you can do this. I remember helping you to brew the potion. I do not wish to harm you, Orelia. I never did. You gave me shelter and taught me a few things while I stayed with you. I’ve always admired you, dear woman.”
Orelia Ogletree blinked a few times before her eyes narrowed. She glanced at Jeidel. The cat hissed, then turned away and wandered out into the yard around the side of the house. “Come through the gate, Darnel. I need to get a better look at you. Only, do not come near my front steps or you’ll regret it.”
Lowering his shield as a show of trust, he did as she said, stopping a couple of feet from her.
“My, but you’ve grown into a fine gentleman, my young Mage. Such a scrapper you were back then, weren’t you?” She chuckled. “Remove your cloak. Let me see your arms. I see your face is clear of marks, that’s a good sign.”
Complying, he first took off his traveling cloak, then his jacket. Standing before her in his undershirt, he extended his arms out to show he’d not taken any markings from any of the other witch or wizard clans.
She grabbed his right hand. “I see you have a protective bond with a wizard. Shame on you!” Releasing him, she added in a resigned tone, “Though I’m sure your choice of friends is limited. I’d always felt a little pity for you. Just a little. Did you eventually end up with the Archmages of Lalet? I figured if nobody else would take you in, those old fools would.”
Darnel slipped back into his jacket but kept his cloak slung over his arm. “I was there for a few years. That is where I learned how to create a shield. They also taught me how to heal the White Trees, which I’ve found useless. I have no interest in seeing those over-sized bushes thrive.”
Orelia actually laughed at that remark.
“After two years,” he continued, “I was unable to stand their harsh rules and standards, so I left. And yes, I am traveling with a wizard of the Brethren Order.”
She hissed, but he continued on before she decided to chase him away again.
“However, I will not now or ever pledge myself to them. Fajer knows this and accepts it. He continues to prove himself useful to me. So, I’ve stayed with him. I believe, with his help, I’ll soon be able to take over one of the provinces.”
Orelia gasped, her eyes rounding into circles. “Why ever would you wish to do that, Mage?”
“Because, once I have one in my power, I’ll start taking over more. Starting with the weakest ones, such as Rodonal. That Light King… I’ll show him that I do not need to bow to him or anyone else to become someone of authority and power. I’ll make sure my people regret the day they shunned me.”
Moving onto the bottom step, Orelia looked up at him with renewed respect. “My, but you have grown indeed. Very well, Darnel, I certainly do not wish to be counted as one who hindered you.” Her gaze probed him until he began to feel uncomfortable. “How about that blending talent. I could use that to hide when the White Tree Warriors cross the valley. Give me that, and I’ll allow you inside and brew the potion you need.”
Darnel considered her new offer, realizing he’d have to give up something more precious than the gold coins. Orelia never held much interest in the things that turned a human’s head. “Very well. My blending talent is yours. But you’ll have to show me how you draw out a person’s talents without having to kill them.”
She nodded. I’ll show you, but only a witch can do it. I know those Brethren tyrants use underlings to leech their victims. The fools.”
Darnel’s heart sank. He’d so hoped there would be an easier way. The Archmages had ways of building up their giftings without having to harm or drain others. But their talents were useless for what he wished to accomplish.
“Fools indeed.” He held out his hand to the witch. “But aren’t we all when we become desperate to obtain what we want?”
She turned away without taking it. “Let us get on with this. I’ve not changed my opinion of you, Darnel the halfling. You are still too dangerous to have around for too long.”
* * * *
Darnel rode through the stifling forest, trying to keep up a steady pace so he’d reach the other side before nightfall. He had no desire to be stuck in the Melodies Forest another night.
Jabbing the horse with the heel of his boots, he urged the mare to move faster. Her head hung low. Blast, he’d need to stop and let her rest. That’s what he got for riding her so hard after leaving Orelia’s cottage. The witch had managed to take his cloaking talent along with making him vow to take care of her if he ever did rise to power.
Orelia was tired of constantly being harassed by Wizards and White Tree Warriors. After Issah had banished her from her comfy spot beside the White Path, she’d been forced to wander around like a nomad until finding the sheltered valley at the edge of the forest. The Melodies Guardian forbade her from entering too deep into the woods.
Darnel had no idea who this guardian was, nor did he have any desire to meet up with her.
He dismounted and walked beside the mare while pulling out the Imagi-sphere and cupping it in both hands. “I need a safe place to rest and fill my water bags.”
Fajer had no clue what he’d possessed. No idea what wonders this palm-sized globe could do. The more Darnel used it, the more it revealed its powers to him. He’d never allow it to leave his possession, now that he had it for his own. Foolish Wizards. Another reason he’d never join their ranks.
Orelia had thought him wise for taking from Fajer what he could, but she gave him a stern warning before he departed that he must never bond with the Brethren or any other Order.
“They’ll destroy you, Mage. Heed my warning. Orelia knows a thing or two about them wicked conjurers. They’re leeches, they are. None of them have any real powers worth anything. That’s why they prey on the gifted. But you, dear boy, have real powers. The more you wield them, the more you’ll figure out how they work. You don’t need anyone to tell you, it’ll come naturally. You’ll see.”
There were only a few witches left in the land after the Enchantress’ banishment. Many had been killed by Wizards or Logorians. No wonder she was so guarded around him. Ever since Issah found Darnel living with Orelia, he’d revealed Darnel’s true identity, causing Orelia to cast him away from her. He was surprised she’d not cast some spell to keep him from finding her.
The globe began to form a picture. He could see a bird’s eye-view of himself walking beside the horse. He waved his hand and chuckled as the little figure inside the globe did the same.
Amazing.
A couple of leagues to his right was a cottage beside a rushing stream.
“Is it safe?” he asked the globe.
The picture changed until he was looking at a front door. Inscribed in the frame were the words, “Here Anyone Can Live Free.”
“Hum. That sounds promising.” If only it were true. Still, if they went to the trouble of carving such a sign over their door, they must welcome visitors. He only needed to sit beside the stream and rest for a short while.
Keeping the globe in his hand, he let it lead him along the winding forest path until he reached the stream. The mare, finding a bit of renewed energy, rushed to the water and drank deeply. Just when he was ready to fill his waterskin, the sound of clomping hooves caused him to spin toward the noise. He pulled the knife he kept tucked in his jacket’s sleeve and held it ready, though he had no intention of fighting anyone.
“Oh, hey there, good evening, Sir.” A man with wildly curly brown hair peeked around the trunk of an oak. “Meaning no harm, Sir. I noticed you passing by the Missus cottage and thought you’d be in need of nourishment. I have some delicious strawberries, freshly picked. By myself.” He jabbed his thumb at his bare chest.<
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Darnel refused to let his guard down. “Come out where I can see you if you wish to be considered a friend. Let me see that you’re unarmed.”
A faun stepped into view, hands held up. A bulging woven bag hung from his shoulder. “No weapons allowed in Missus presence. Don’t let her catch sight of that nifty knife, she’ll demand it from you and nobody argues with Missus.”
“Who is this Missus you speak of?” Darnel glanced around, spotting faeries darting amongst the trees. Oh great. He hated those little pests worse than buzzing mosquitos. Behind the cottage made of gray, purple and lavender stones a herd of unicorns grazed on the tall grasses growing in a small clearing. Something darted through the fern past his feet, but he couldn’t catch what kind of creature it might be. Redcap or gnome, perhaps.
“Oh, well, some call her Guardian Emmalyn. Most of us around here affectionately call her Missus. Usually, she’s very kind unless you anger her.” He glanced over his shoulder toward the cottage, then leaned in closer to whisper, “She doesn’t take kindly to those who bring harm to others. Which is why I’m here, bringing you nourishment. My penance for… well, never mind what for. My job is to serve anyone who is in need. You seemed to fit that description.” He dropped the bag at Darnel’s feet.
“Thank you.” Inside, he found several apples which he fed to his horse and a pouch full of various berries. “Tell your Missus the gift is appreciated.” He hoped the faun would leave him.
But he didn’t. “My name is Jael Azazel,” the faun stated, extending his dirty hand. “And you are?”
Darnel had no desire to touch the ruddy beast. “Passing through. I’ll not be here long, so don’t trouble your Missus.” Something about this place troubled him. Soon as his horse was rested, he’d be on his way. “How far from the border am I? Do you know?”
“Oh certainly,” Jael had begun collecting pieces of wood and kindling and set them into a pile. “You are about a half days ride before you enter Rodonal Province. Have you been there before?”
