The Zero Curse

by Christopher G. Nuttall

  And yet, our families are enemies, I thought grimly. What happens if we have to fight in the future?

  I looked down at my hands. There were countless stage shows - I’d watched a couple, although Mum had barred us from going too often - featuring feuding families that were forced to bury the feuds after their heirs fell in love and got married. The ones that ended well were nice stories, I supposed, but ... they were unrealistic. Two heirs marrying didn't make the problems just ... go away. Akin and I might end up facing each other, no matter how much we liked each other. The only way to avoid it, perhaps, was to leave.

  “We should swear a blood oath,” Akin said, suddenly. “The three of us.”

  I blinked in surprise - his thoughts had clearly been moving along the same lines as mine - and then nodded slowly. A blood oath would make it impossible for us to fight each other, although ... I wasn't sure if it would affect me. There was no magic in my blood, was there? Or ... now I knew about the magic field, could I give myself magic? It was a tempting thought, despite the dangers. And yet ... I just didn't know enough to be sure.

  “When we get home, we’ll think about it,” I said. Blood oaths carried implications. I’d have to make sure Rose knew what they were before she swore the oath. We’d be siblings in magic, if not in blood. “What would your father say?”

  Akin’s eyes darkened. “He wouldn't be pleased,” he said. “But if we did it without asking him ...”

  His voice trailed off, slowly. “We’ll discuss it later,” he said. He changed the subject. “Who do you think Fairuza is working for?”

  I allowed myself a moment of relief. “I don’t know,” I said. “But they clearly want to cause trouble.”

  “Or maybe they just want to loot the city,” Akin speculated. “They might have wanted the Objects of Power to sift through the wreckage.”

  It was possible, I supposed. But it didn't seem likely. I didn't think that looters would have any use for a wardcracker ... not here. The wards were gone, replaced by wild magic ... maybe they’d found a tomb they intended to raid. But even that seemed unlikely. Some of the tools I’d made for Fairuza could only really be used to raid a magician’s house or break into a city. Or a school.

  “The sooner we get home, the better,” I said, tersely. Dad had to be warned. “I don’t know if they’ll have been able to salvage the potion.”

  Akin frowned. “Why didn't you take it with us?”

  I shook my head. “Too dangerous,” I said. The potion was terrifyingly volatile. Caitlyn’s Boost was far safer and it had nearly killed Rose and I. “I did ... a few tricks that might spoil it, if they don’t catch on in time ...”

  “I hope you’re right,” Akin said.

  I hoped he was right too. But I was worried. The potion clearly hadn't exploded or Fairuza would have worse problems than hunting for us. Unless it had exploded after she’d led most of her people out to search the ruins. But ... I shook my head, again. There was no point in worrying about it now. The potion wouldn't last long, unless they’d invented a completely new way to stabilise it. I didn't think that anyone, even Mum, could do that without triggering an explosion.

  “I just don’t see who benefits,” Akin said, after a moment. “Who wants to get two Great Houses mad at him?”

  I shrugged. I’d turned it over and over in my mind, but I hadn't come up with anything beyond wild speculation. Akin’s father might want to kidnap or kill me, just to preserve the balance of power, yet he wouldn't want to risk his son. And there weren't many other potential suspects who wanted to pick a fight with two Great Houses. Perhaps Rolf hadn't been meant to kidnap Akin. He might have exceeded his orders.

  But they didn't have to turn Akin into a slave, I thought. They could have just returned Akin, perhaps making a show of ransoming him, if they’d taken him by accident. It would have made Dad wonder if they’d ransom me too.

  But who else was there? The king? No, he would have just summoned me to Tintagel. A foreign enemy? Maybe more likely, but ... they’d be risking war. And surely it would have been safer to kill me, rather than risk using me. I had no doubt that every other kingdom was searching for their own Zeroes, now they knew the secret. It wouldn't be that hard, either.

  Unless they get someone who doesn't want to learn how to forge, I thought. They couldn't guarantee finding someone trained and willing to work.

  I dismissed the thought with a bitter shrug. Fairuza couldn't cast compulsion spells on me, but she’d found other ways to get me to work. Someone else could do the same, if they wished. Regular beatings would suffice, I imagined. A Zero without my skills wouldn't even be able to plan an escape, let alone carry it out.

  “Perhaps Lord Rotherham is behind it,” Akin mused. “He stands to gain if your house and mine goes to war.”

  “Perhaps,” I agreed. House Rotherham was smaller than either of ours, but ... ‘lets you and him fight’ was an old and proud tradition among the Great Houses. “It would still be a serious risk.”

  I looked up as I heard someone walking down the path. Akin rose, leaning on a tree; I lifted the spellcaster, ready to fight if necessary. Rose stepped into view, followed by a fresh-faced young woman a handful of years older. She wore a very practical set of blue trousers and a loose shirt, her blonde hair falling over her muscular shoulders. Her gaze was sharp, but I saw her eyes go wide as she saw me. I looked a mess.

  “This is Valeria,” Rose said. “She has agreed to take us in, for the moment.”

  Akin frowned as he straightened up. “For the moment?”

  “For a day or two,” Valeria said. Her voice was soft, but oddly accented. I had the distant impression that her family hadn’t come from Tintagel. “It depends on how well you can forge.”

  I felt a flicker of alarm. “How well I can forge?”

  “They have old Devices they want fixed,” Rose said, hastily. “I said you might be able to fix them.”

  “I might,” I confirmed. I had a handful of tools and supplies with me, but not enough to guarantee anything. “It would depend on the facilities.”

  Valeria gave me an odd little bow. “If you will come with us, we will find you a place,” she said. “Come.”

  She turned and walked down the path. I glanced at Rose, then at Akin. Rose seemed fine, but ... concerned. Akin looked doubtful. And yet, there was nowhere else we could go. I shrugged and followed Valeria as she walked. Her legs moved oddly, as if they’d been injured at some point and never mended. But then, there probably weren't any trained healers within a hundred miles.

  The path grew wider as we reached the edge of the forest. I stopped, dead, as I stared at the fields. They were small, far smaller than the fields I’d seen on the estate, yet blooming with life. Pens held sheep, goats and pigs - the latter smaller than the wild boar we’d seen in the forest. A tiny selection of buildings sat at the far end of the clearing, cunningly woven into the trees. My eyes might have passed over them completely if I hadn't known they were there. The inhabitants had concealed their presence as much as possible.

  I donned the spectacles, looking around with interest. There didn't seem to be much magic in the fields, save for a single charm lingering on a scarecrow. I puzzled over it for a long moment, then decided it was probably meant to repel birds and insects. It was loose enough that I guessed it needed to be renewed every week. But then, basic cantrips rarely lasted long. I wondered who cast the spell, then decided it didn't matter. Almost anyone could cast it with a little practice. I was perhaps the only one on the farm who couldn’t.

  “You’ll be housed in the lower bedroom,” Valeria informed us. She led the way towards a two-story farmhouse, covered in so many plants that it was practically invisible. “I’m afraid there’s very little privacy here.”

  “Ouch,” Akin muttered.

  I made a face, but shrugged. There was no point in arguing. Besides, I’d spent the last six months at boarding school, when I hadn't been in the cell. True privacy was rare at the best of times. I
just hoped there was water and somewhere to wash. My face felt as if it was caked in mud and dust. Mum would definitely have thrown up her hands in horror.

  A handful of people emerged from the far side of the farmhouse and stared at us. I stared back, noting how fit and healthy they looked. The clothes they wore were simple, yet they seemed to be in good spirits. Their eyes lingered on me, long enough to make me feel awkward. I didn't look that bad, did I? It couldn't be as bad as the day Alana had pushed me into a muddy puddle, when we’d both been five. We’d been meant to go to a party, but we’d had to go home instead. Mum had been furious.

  Because she’d given her word she’d go, I recalled. And then she had to stay with us instead.

  I heard them talking amongst themselves in low voices as we walked into the farmhouse. I only picked up a handful of words, none of which meant anything to me. I’d thought I knew all of the local languages in this part of the world, but evidently not. Unless the farmers had come from further away than I’d realised ... it didn't seem likely. They certainly didn’t look that different to Rose or Akin.

  “You can wash with the lads,” Valeria said, addressing Akin. Her voice was utterly uncompromising. “The girls can have the washtub here. I’ll bring clean towels and clothes in a minute.”

  Akin nodded. Valeria led us into the washroom, pointed out a washtub filled with cold water, and then led him out of the room. I glanced around, checking that we weren't being watched. The wooden walls struck me as remarkably flimsy. I could see chinks of light beaming through the walls. And yet ... I shook my head as Rose put a finger in the tub, then cast a spell to warm the water. It wasn't my place. I couldn't imagine what it must be like to grow up in such a closed community.

  “It has its advantages and disadvantages,” Rose said, when I asked. “There are no strangers here. Everyone knows everyone else. There’s always someone to watch you when you’re a child and your parents have to work. But you can rest assured that any misbehaviour will also get back to your parents and you will be punished. And anyone who is a little bit different will find it hard to fit in.”

  “Just like High Society, then,” I said.

  Rose snorted. “I once had to watch a young man being put in the stocks for theft,” she said, dryly. “He sat there for two days, while everyone pointed and laughed. And when he was released, he left the village. We never saw him again.”

  I smiled. “Definitely like High Society.”

  The door opened, revealing Valeria. She passed us a set of clothes - shirts and trousers - and a pair of towels. I took them, thanking her with a nod. She eyed me for a long moment, then turned and walked out of the room. I had the distinct impression that she wasn't entirely pleased to see us. We were being hunted. Our enemies wouldn't hesitate to destroy the farmhouses, just to get at us. I couldn't help wondering just how much Valeria actually knew.

  Rose caught my arm. “One thing to bear in mind,” she said, as she started to undress. “They will not have much food to go around. Don’t eat too much, whatever you do.”

  My stomach growled. “I’ll do my best,” I said. My fingers seemed to be having problems undoing my shirt. “You’d better tell Akin that too.”

  I put the scroll to one side, then undressed hastily, trying to ignore the dust and mud falling to the ground. It felt as though the mud was the only thing holding my tattered clothes together. They certainly didn't look as though they could be washed, then worn again. I splashed hot water on my body, washed myself as thoroughly as I could, then dressed hastily. The clothes felt itchy against my bare skin, but they were clean. I’d put up with any amount of itching, just to be clean.

  “Help me wipe up the mess,” Rose said, when we were both dressed. Her voice was very firm. “We don’t want to make extra work for Valeria.”

  I flushed, embarrassed. I’d never thought of that, although I should have. Sandy had forced me to clean the showers, back at Jude’s. But then, there was hot running water to help. I had no idea how Valeria had filled the washtub, without magic. Perhaps she’d just used a bucket and walked back and forth until the washtub was filled. Or perhaps someone else had done it for her.

  Or perhaps it was meant for someone else, I thought. I felt a sudden pang of guilt. Valeria couldn't have known we were coming, yet the washtub had been filled. Were the others meant to wash?

  We walked outside. The sun was steadily sinking behind the distant hills, casting long shadows over the land. It was cooler, somewhat to my relief. Valeria was waiting outside, chatting to Akin. He’d had etiquette drilled into his head from birth, but he still looked flustered. Valeria was a few years older, pretty, and paying attention to him, a dangerous combination.

  I concealed my amusement as Valeria led us past the field and into another large building. A giant table was covered with food, surrounded by farmers and their children. The men were sitting at the table, the younger girls - around my age - pouring drinks or serving food. And yet, they all fell silent and looked at us as we walked into the room. I couldn't shake the feeling they were staring at me.

  Valeria introduced us to a handful of older men and women, but the names blurred together as hunger gnawed at me. Rose seemed to hold her own, bowing her head to the men and hugging the women. I found myself totally lost, unsure how to act. All I could do was curtsey to the elders, which they seemed to find amusing. I would have been angry if I wasn't so hungry. And they were all staring at me.

  “Please, eat,” Valeria said, finally. Her voice was warm. “And then you can rest.”

  “Thank you,” I said. It was hard, so hard, to remember Rose’s warning. “It looks very good.”

  “Eat,” Valeria said. “Please.”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  “Wake up,” Rose said. A cock was crowing outside, loudly. “How are you feeling?”

  I started, trying to remember where we were. The farm ... we’d found a farm. I would have wondered just how much of the last week had been a dream, if I hadn't been covered in aches and pains. The blankets Valeria had given us were better than a hard stone floor, but not by much. I told myself to stop being ungrateful as I sat upright, rubbing my arms to smooth out the aches. It was better than being left to Fairuza’s tender mercies.

  “Strange,” I said. I hadn't dreamed. I’d been too tired to dream. The scroll remained under the blankets, where I’d left it. “What time is it?”

  “Dawn,” Rose said. She snickered. “I’m afraid you don’t get to sleep late on a farm.”

  “And to think I thought that Mum was bad,” I muttered. I stood on wobbly legs and inspected myself. My dark skin was covered with mottled bruises. “If I’m forging, what are you going to be doing?”

  “Helping with the farm,” Rose said. “And probably making sure Akin doesn't make too big a mess of things.”

  I had to smile. Akin and I were both out of place on the farm. He’d probably start demolishing a flower bed on the grounds it looked as if it was covered in weeds. Alana had done that once, when she’d been grounded for something or other, and the poor gardener had been left in tears. Mum had been beyond furious when she’d heard of it.

  We dressed slowly, then went to the other farmhouse for breakfast. This time, everyone seemed to be running in, grabbing a bowl of food and heading back out again. Rose took a bowl, filled it with a strange combination of potatoes, eggs, ham and bacon, then passed it to me. I hesitated, then started to eat. It was surprisingly filling.

  “Make sure you eat plenty,” Valeria ordered, appearing beside us. “You’ll need to keep up your strength.”

  I nodded curtly as I ate. It was bland - I doubted Mum would let Henry serve it for breakfast - but definitely filling. Akin was on the other side of the table, stuffing himself. A middle-aged woman was sitting next to Akin, encouraging him to eat. I glanced at Rose, then decided the women knew what the farmers could and couldn't spare. Potatoes were cheap, anyway. They were a staple food in Shallot.

  The children were still staring
at me, I noticed, as I finished the bowl. They weren't very subtle about it, either. The older ones looked embarrassed when I caught them staring, but the younger ones just stared back. It made no sense to me. People had stared at me at school, but that had been because they'd known who I was. The farmers didn't, did they? I could be any old forger.

  “Meet me outside in a moment,” Valeria told me. “I’ll take you to the forge.”

  “I’ll have to go fetch my bag,” I said. I’d left it in our bedroom, along with the scroll. “I’ll be there in a moment.”

  I hurried out the door, half-hoping Rose would follow me. She didn’t. Instead, I passed two older farmers, both of whom stared at me. I resisted the urge to bite out a curse as I walked into the farmhouse and scooped up the bag, then the scroll. Leaving it hidden wasn't an option. Rose might not be able to read Old Script - although she had been learning at Jude’s - but Akin definitely could. I didn't want to think about what would happen if he learned the truth.