“Yes, I did,” replied Todd, turning to face Ashley.
For the first time, he noticed her rich blonde hair and her deep blue eyes. He felt himself flush slightly as he realized that this young woman was very pretty. He had only seen her a couple times previously but had never gotten the nerve up to speak to her. He was normally terribly shy around girls, especially pretty ones like Ashley.
“I’m Ashley Andrews, and this is my brother, Stephen.”
“I know,” replied Todd, trying to keep his voice normal. He had a tendency to stutter around new people. “I’ve seen you around the village a few times before.”
The three stood silently, not sure what to say next. Todd didn’t want the conversation to end. He didn’t have many friends, and this might be an opportunity to make some new ones. Ashley piqued his curiosity. “Let’s go into the general store and get something cool to drink. We can talk more in there.”
“Sure,” responded Ashley, wanting to get off the street and out of sight.
“Thank you,” Stephen finally said. He had been surprised that Todd had intervened. After all, Todd was a Sorenson also.
“You’re welcome,” replied Todd, nodding his head, his deep brown eyes focusing back on Ashley.
The crowd was rapidly breaking up now that Edward had left. Ashley was feeling thirsty anyway, and the general store had a number of appealing drinks for young people. The adults could always go down to the large tavern at the end of the street.
The three made their way into the general store and Todd ordered them all one of the new fruit drinks that the store had on hand. He put it on his father’s tab, and the three found seats at a small table in the corner of the store.
“What are you doing in Glendon?” Todd asked. He had only seen Stephen and Ashley a few times in the past.
“We’re doing some shopping for our mother,” responded Ashley, taking a cautious sip of the colorful fruit drink.
A surprised smile flashed across her face at the delightful and refreshing taste of the drink. She wished the general store on their side of the valley carried these. This drink alone made it worth coming to Glendon.
“We’re picking up some things for my father and uncle,” Todd remarked. “It’s all being loaded over at the blacksmith shop. So, what’s it like over on your side of the valley? I never get to go too far from home. Glendon is as far as my father allows me to travel.”
For the next hour, the three talked about their respective sides of the valley, and all three were surprised at the differences. The differences all had to do with sorcery and how it was used in the valley.
“You help the people on your side of the valley for free?” Todd commented amazed at the idea. “My father and uncle charge a small fee every time they use their powers to help out someone. All of our family does.”
“It’s how we were taught,” replied Stephen, warming up to Todd. The young man seemed to be a likeable person; nothing like his older brother. “Sorcery is a gift that should be used to help those in need.”
“How are your sorcery powers coming?” Todd asked Stephen.
He knew that Stephen was only around fourteen, so his powers should be just coming into being with the onset of adolescence. That was one of the reasons he had gotten so aggravated with Edward. His older brother had known that Stephen wouldn’t be able to defend himself.
“Frustrating at times,” admitted Stephen, letting out a deep sigh. “There is so much to learn, and I always seem to be screwing up the spells.”
“It’s always difficult at first,” replied Todd, recalling his frustrations when his own powers first began to manifest themselves. “I had a lot of problems myself. I still do at times.”
“Stephen’s doing fine,” commented Ashley, wanting to make her younger brother feel better. “He is studying very hard and will become a very powerful sorcerer one of these days.”
“What’s it like living in a family where all the males have sorcery powers and the women don’t?” Todd asked curiously, raising his eyebrow. “My mother never seemed to mind, but I don’t have a sister.”
It had become a rule over the ages that women were not allowed to have or use sorcery powers. The few that did show any evidence of sorcery were warned against trying to develop their abilities. It was discovered early on that if a person’s powers were not developed by the time they completed adolescence the powers went away and never returned.
“I’m used to it,” Ashley replied, surprised by the question. She wondered why Todd had asked. She didn’t want to admit the question made her feel uncomfortable, but not for the reason Todd might think.
An older man walked through the door of the general store and looked around as if he were looking for someone. Seeing Todd, he frowned and gestured for him to come with him.
“That’s my uncle,” Todd informed them, knowing he was probably in trouble. His uncle wouldn’t be happy about Todd stopping Edward from harassing the two Andrew’s kids and now spending time with them. Standing up, he looked at his two new friends. “I hope I can see the two of you again sometime. I really enjoyed our talk. I don’t get to do this often with kids my own age.” Nodding goodbye to the two, he walked over to his waiting uncle and they left the general store.
Ashley stood up, walked over to one of the store windows, and looked out. She could tell that Todd’s uncle was really chewing him out about something. Todd had his head down looking at the street and wasn’t replying. Shaking her head, she walked back over to her brother. “Let’s find Dad; I think it’s about time we head for home.”
-
It was late in the afternoon when Ashley’s father pulled their wagon into the yard in front of their home. Ashley and Stephen had told their father about the encounter with the Sorensons. He had been extremely upset when he realized how close Stephen had come to being injured.
“Sorcery isn’t something to be played around with. Not like that,” he had lectured with an angry scowl on his face. “It can get out of control very easily. I want both of you to stay away from the Sorensons from now on.”
“But Dad, Todd Sorenson seemed very friendly. He isn’t like his older brother,” Ashley protested. She had taken an instant liking to Todd and was hoping to see him again.
“The Sorensons are too greedy for their own good,” their father replied. “Todd’s father and uncle are both very powerful sorcerers, stronger than anyone in our family. I have also heard that Edward may be even stronger some day. I think it’s best if you both stay away from them.”
They had completed the ride home in silence. Ashley didn’t like arguing with her father. She could tell that Stephen wanted to say something else, but a warning glance from her had kept him quiet.
As they were climbing down from the wagon, their mother came out of the large rambling farmhouse with a pleasant smile upon her face. Katrina Andrews was thirty-eight years old and still had a fine figure.
Harmon walked over and kissed his wife gently on the lips, grinning. “We got everything on your list from Glendon,” Harmon said. He knew that would please his wife.
“Did all go well?” she asked. She didn’t like it when any member of the family had to go into the Sorenson’s end of the valley. She had heard too many worrisome stories about the Sorensons.
“Just fine,” Harmon replied with a subtle warning glance toward the two kids. “Let’s get everything unloaded. I’m starving.”
Katrina laughed and nodded her head. “Supper is nearly ready. As soon as we have everything unloaded, we can eat.”
-
After supper, Ashley helped her mother with the dishes and then made up an excuse about needing to go down to the barn and check on the horses. Reaching the barn, she was relieved to see that her father had already turned the horses out into the small meadow behind it. Making sure no one was watching she climbed quickly up the steep ladder into the hayloft. Going to one corner, she pried loose a board and took an old, well-worn book out of its hiding place.
She laid the book down on a bale of hay and turned it to the page she was currently studying. Unbuttoning the top button on her blouse, she pulled out her necklace. A light blue stone hung from the end. She ran her finger lightly across it and was pleased to see the dim glow that came from within. This was her amulet.
Ashley had discovered several years back that she had the powers of sorcery. Even though sorcery was banned for women because it was thought to be too dangerous, Ashley had decided to teach herself. Over the last two years, she had snuck some of the old, seldom-used spell books out of the house. When she knew no one was around or watching, she would study the spells the books contained.
Ashley knew that if her father or mother ever found out what she was doing there would be a very bad argument, one she probably wouldn’t win. Taking several candles out of their hiding place behind a floor brace next to the wall, she set them on a clear space on the floor. Then, sitting down in front of them and crossing her legs, she set the book down next to her and read the spell.
Focusing her mind, she slowly moved her right hand in the intricate gestures required to create fire. There were also a few special words that had to be spoken to help strengthen the spell. She held her amulet in her open left hand. When the spell was complete, she sent it toward the candles and saw both candle wicks light with bright flames.
Feeling warmth in her left hand, she glanced down at her amulet. It was glowing even brighter then before. It seemed as if every time she cast a spell, her amulet became stronger. Smiling to herself, Ashley felt pretty confident she had mastered the fire spell. That was one more spell she could now say was hers to control.
Turning the page, she glanced at the next spell. This one controlled the wind. If used properly, the wind could be forced to blow with near hurricane strength or reduced to a gentle breeze. She read over the spell several times and ran through the indicted hand gestures until she felt confident that she was ready. This was the spell she had actually wanted to practice on. The fire spell was only a warm up.
She walked over to a large, open window in the hayloft and glanced outside. The wind was blowing at a pretty decent speed. She could see the smaller limbs in the trees bending and hear the leaves rustling. Concentrating deeply, she moved her hands in the complicated gestures needed to create the intricate weave of the wind spell. There were also a few words that had to be spoken to control the spell properly.
As she worked the spell, she could feel her amulet growing very warm. This had never happened before. She wondered if it was because this was a stronger spell. Glancing down at her amulet, she saw that it was glowing brighter and brighter. Then, forcing herself to refocus, she continued working on the spell. Once she was ready, she cast the spell forth and then waited expectantly to see what would happen. Almost instantly, the wind died down and the leaves in the trees stopped moving. It worked, she thought, excited at how easy the spell had been to create and then cast. The more she studied, the easier the spells seemed to become.
Ashley heard a noise from the house and saw her father step outside, looking around with a confused look upon his face. Then his eyes focused sharply on the barn. Ashley stepped back out of sight. She hoped her father hadn’t detected her use of sorcery. She didn’t think he had that ability, or at least she hoped he didn’t. After a few minutes, she dared to look back outside and was relieved to see that her father had gone back inside. She let out a long sigh of relief and relaxed. She didn’t want her father to catch her using sorcery; it would ruin everything. She would have to be more careful; she couldn’t risk discovery.
That had better be all the sorcery for today, she thought. She quickly blew out the candles and put them as well as the sorcery book back in their hiding places. Climbing back down the ladder, she returned to the house.
-
It was late evening and Ashley’s mother had just finished lighting the lamps in the house. Ashley stepped outside on the back porch and stared out toward the mountains. The largest of them was Beaver Mountain. Even now, this late in the summer, the top still had patches of snow covering the summit. It glistened brightly in the rapidly fading sunlight. Encroaching purple fingers of darkness moved slowly down the slope and would soon cover the valley. Darkness would come very quickly as the sun dropped behind the mountains.
Her father had said the mountain was named after the numerous beaver dams that used to exist at its base. They had been on a winding stream that crossed the bottom slope of the mountain. The stream had long since vanished, but the name had remained. Ashley sat down on the top step and thought about the day’s events.
She was curious about Todd Sorenson. He seemed like a reasonable young man. She hoped she would get to see him again. However, that would probably mean going to Glendon, and she doubted that her father would allow either Stephen or her to go there anytime soon. Her thoughts were interrupted by Stephen as he opened the back door and sat down next to her on the steps.
“Thanks for helping me today,” he said in a low, conciliatory tone. He knew that his sister had been aggravated with him for getting into trouble.
He knew he had messed up again. He just wished he would remember to think things through before shooting off his mouth. It had gotten him into trouble enough times at home that he should have known better.
Ashley smiled and replied, “You’re my brother; what else would you expect me to do?”
“You were very brave to stand up to Edward,” continued Stephen, recalling the fireballs. “You didn’t even flinch when he threw his fireballs at your feet.”
“I wanted to,” admitted Ashley, recalling how hot they had felt when they landed close to her. “But I was determined not to show that I was afraid of him. How are your sorcery lessons going?”
“Slowly. I don’t know if I will ever learn this stuff. Dad tries to explain, but sometimes it’s all very confusing.”
“You’ve been working on your fire spell, haven’t you?” asked Ashley, turning her dark blue eyes toward her brother.
“Yeah, but most of the time I can’t get the candle to light.” Reaching into his pocket, he took out a small candle and set it on the step between them. “Watch.”
Stephen reached for his small, yellow amulet, which was attached to a small chain around his neck. Focusing on his amulet, he made the intricate motions for the fire spell. When the spell was complete, he gazed at the candle expectantly. Nothing happened. The candlewick just sat there defiantly without even a spark showing.
“That happens all the time,” Stephen complained in disappointment. He had wanted it to light for his sister. It seemed as if today he couldn’t do anything right.
“Try again, but focus on the candle instead of your amulet,” suggested Ashley, reaching to the top of her blouse, so her hand rested casually on her own hidden amulet. “This time, say the words that go along with the spell.”
“How did you know about the words?” asked Stephen, realizing that he had forgotten to say them.
“I’ve heard Dad teaching you,” replied Ashley, nodding encouragingly at her brother. “They help you to focus.”
“Okay,” Stephen replied as he began the fire spell again, being careful to speak the necessary words clearly.
Unseen by him, Ashley also repeated the words, her lips moving silently and her right hand out of his sight moving through the proper gestures.
Finishing the fire spell, Stephen gazed hopefully at the candle. The candlewick suddenly blazed up with a bright two-inch flame. Stephen’s eyes widened as he gazed excitedly at the burning candle. “I did it!”
“Of course you did,” Ashley replied encouragingly with a slight, knowing smile. “You just need to concentrate and apply yourself more. Who knows, someday you might be a very powerful sorcerer.”
Stephen continued to watch the burning candle for a few more moments before he reached down and snuffed it out with the fingers of his right hand. He looked up at the mountains and then turned to Ashley.
“
Dad is taking me to Beaver Mountain tomorrow.”
“Beaver Mountain?” responded Ashley, surprised. “Why is he taking you there?” Ashley looked toward the mountain with new curiosity.
“I don’t know,” admitted Stephen, picking up the candle and looking at it. “He says it’s important and involves our family history. It’s something that occurred centuries ago and is now the responsibility of the Andrew’s family sorcerers.”
Ashley was quiet. Her father very seldom discussed the family history with anyone. It was passed down from father to son and had been done so through many generations. She had two uncles that lived in the nearby village of Plainview, and they both had sorcery powers, but not quite as strong as her father’s abilities. She wondered if they knew about this secret.
Ashley was extremely curious about what was on the mountain that her father needed to show Stephen. She wondered if there was any way she could safely follow them and find out. It was something she would have to think about very carefully. There was also that locked cabinet in her father’s study, which contained some very old books. Ashley suspected that the secret of what was on the mountain was probably in one of those books. Her father had a sorcery spell upon the cabinet so no one could unlock it but him. So that option was definitely out.
Standing up, she looked down at her brother. “I’m going to check with Mom and see if there’s anything else I need to do before turning in. We’ve had a long day today, and I want to get a good night’s sleep.”
“Same here,” spoke Stephen, rising to his feet and putting the candle back in his pocket. “I need to go down to the barn and check on the horses, and then I think I will turn in also. Dad said we need to leave early in the morning, right after sunup.”
A few minutes later, Ashley was standing at her bedroom window staring outside. It was almost completely dark. A few stars were just beginning to make their appearance known in the darkening night sky. She was highly curious about what her father was showing Stephen up on the mountain. Even though she knew it was wrong, she decided to follow them in the morning.
Snowden the White Dragon Page 3
