Alec moved to stand in front of their hearth and gave Christi a wink. He started with one of the more upbeat songs it was titled LITTLE JIMMY'S PIE. It was a fun song telling how a boy who would steal pies from a woman not knowing she put them out just for him.
By the time he was done, the family was clapping in time with him. Alec sang the second song which was called TIME IS LIKE A RIVER. It was full of references to a man growing up and the river making its way to the sea. He'd picked it because it had a whimsical tune to it that made him want to see the things around him more clearly.
Alec finally sang his and Christi's favorite song, A LOVE LOST. For some reason it felt like he could connect with it more than the others, it was like he could just pour all his feelings into it.
By the time he was done singing Jessica was crying openly and Christi had tears running down her face. Alec wasn’t sure but thought he'd even seen George wipe his eyes a few times.
As Jessica got herself under control she gave him a hug, telling him that he'd sung beautifully. The others also gave him their compliments in their own ways.
After being asked if he had plans for the rest of the day Alec agreed to spar with Allen again before going for a walk with Christi. Which he found out would be including George and Jessica. Alec told him that he'd have to use a regular stave as he was having some work done on the larp. As they headed for their rooms Alec filled Allan in on what he was having done.
Alec faced off with Allen in front of Christi, George and Bill. Alec tried starting on the offensive. He spun the stave around his hands as quick as he could and sent it toward Allen's left side. Allen blocked the strike pushing it up and away. He allowed the move to change the direction of it giving the backspin more speed. As Allan's sword came up and over aimed at his right shoulder Alec's stave was already there catching the dulled blade and pushing it to the side.
Several passes later and a near miss by side stepping a thrust Alec knew he needed to end the match soon. He pushed more oxygen and blood flow to his arms and took a step back going into a back and forth x. The stave felt alive in his hands, not as much as the larp but it still felt like it was part of him. He spun it faster and faster adding in an over the head spin every other spin and advanced on Allan.
Allan blocked the first two strikes but Alec just reversed the direction of his spin after each one making Allan back up as he sped up after each hit. It felt like Allan was moving slower and slower with each second while he had all the time in the world to adjust and make corrections to his moves.
As the stave came around behind his shoulder, Alec allowed it to slide through his hand, almost to the end of it. The now longer end whistled through the air as he brought it down over Allan's shoulder. Allan didn't have time to block the strike, it was coming so fast and with the added reach Alec didn't have to step up to him. The stave would have crashed in to the top of his shoulder but Alec stopped it just short, making it snap in two with the abrupt stop.
Allan just looked him in the eye and said, “I yield.”
Alec looked at the broken stave in his hand it was shorter by a good foot and a half. He felt like a part of him had broken off. He bent down and picked up the end that was broken off. Alec looked from one end of the broken stave to the other fitting them back together. Before he knew what had happened the two ends became one once again.
“Hey, did you get your powers back?” Christi exclaimed.
“No, I don't think so,” Alec said becoming aware of what was going on around him again.
Allan clapped him on the shoulder congratulating him. He asked Alec how he’d done it. Alec just gave him a puzzled look.
“You were moving so fast I could only see a blur as the stave seemed to fly around you,” he said.
“I wasn't moving that fast, you're the one who wouldn't move. Half the time I had to hold back to make sure I didn't knock your head off your shoulders,” Alec told him.
Bill and Christi refuted his claim saying it was like he was possessed or something. Alec just shook his head. Christi asked him to check on his well. He closed his eyes and delved into his body hoping to find something. As he found his well it looked a lot larger than he remembered but was still empty. He found himself in the middle of it looking for any trace of his powers. None, just as he feared. Opening his eyes he looked at Christi.
“There's nothing not even a whisper,” he said feeling slightly depressed.
“I'm sorry Alec. I hoped with the stave fusing together like that, you had your powers back.” She gave him a hug that he gratefully accepted.
He discussed with them as to why his stave would have fixed itself, coming to the conclusion that some other sorcerer or wizard had spelled it.
They made their way back into the house, Alec and Allan excusing themselves to go clean up.
Alec went to his room and set the stave in his closet. He didn't really believe their story of some other magic user enchanting his stave but had no other explanation. He stood there staring at the stave trying to see where the two pieces had become one again. Figuring the others would be waiting on him if he didn't hurry Alec quickly stripped and climbed in to the shower.
Alec was just starting to soap his hair when he heard Christi call out for him. He yelled that he was still in the shower and he would be out shortly.
“That's OK. I'll just wait. Unless you need an extra hand in there,” she told him from just outside the shower curtain.
Alec's hands froze as he scrubbed his hair, keeping his eyes tightly closed.
“Um, Christi, should you be in here? I know we're practically engaged and all but I don't know that we should do this?” He said.
Alec suddenly felt a hand on his chest making him jump.
“Are you sure you wouldn’t like a hand?” She said in a sexy sounding voice. She pulled back her hand from around the curtain. It was thick enough that she couldn’t see through it and though it was tempting she didn’t try to peek around the curtain. “I’ll just wait for you out in the room, ok.”
“Thanks,” Alec said in a croak.
Alec quickly finished his shower and left the bathroom. Christi was sitting on his bed waiting. She gave him an innocent look that made him laugh. They made their way to the sitting room holding hands.
George and Jessica joined them as they took a walk around the block. Christi’s parents allowed them to lead at a distance, giving them a little privacy. As they walked Alec could hear them laugh about something every once in a while. Alec told Christi about Jake and his home, recounting tales of his childhood. As they came back around to the house Jason greeted them explaining that a Captain Mel Farmer was waiting in the sitting room for them.
The four of them stood in the entry of the sitting room where Allan was seated talking to the captain.
“Ah, Alec, right?” Mel said, seeing him in the doorway.
“Nice to see you again Captain Mel, how can I help you?” He asked.
“Well son, we’ve managed to capture a couple men that fit the descriptions you gave us. I’d like to have you come down to the guard house and identify them for me.”
Alec was surprised to say the least. He just shook his head in acknowledgement. George and Allan said that they would accompany him but Jessica told Christi she should stay there when she offered to go as well.
The four of them took George’s open carriage to the guardhouse and Captain Mel led them in. It was set next to the city’s outer wall and slightly to the north of the gate they’d used to go to Teresa’s party.
The inside of the guardhouse was a bland, plain gray color made of the same stones as the wall. There were several guards sitting in a room playing stones as they passed. Mel led them to a desk with a fat short man behind it who saluted Mel and motioned to a book on the desk. Mel took a piece of charcoal and wrote in the book.
They were led down a set of stairs passing two guards at the top. At the bottom they were searched and relieved of any weapons they had on them. Allan was th
e only one, having a knife hidden in his boot. They passed a few cells, most contained disheveled looking men who were obviously drunk. Mel stopped in front of a cell containing two men. They were the ones who had assaulted him out by the river.
The one who’d called himself Merrill started laughing when he recognized Alec standing outside his cell having told Mel that they were the ones.
“What’s so funny Merrill? You’ve just been identified as his assailant.” Mel asked.
“Alec there has more lives than five cats!” He said.
“How do you know my name, Mr. Merrill?” Alec asked.
“Let me tell you a little story.” He began. “I was contacted by a member of the temples awhile back. They asked me to get rid of you, seems you had them scared or something. Anyway, after being paid very well I agreed and have actually tried to kill you on three different occasions. It was starting to be a bit funny actually.” Merrill told him.
“Three times, how? Why?” Alec was confused and angry. He didn’t find any of it amusing.
“Boy, that priest wants you dead and bad. He said he was going to have you removed from the school so I could have a crack at you and he did. The first time I didn’t try too hard, just followed you from the city out to where you were practicing. Thought you’d be an easy mark. The second time, you and the family you’re staying with were on your way back from the estate to the west. Thought I had you then for sure with that arrow in the back. I’m not sure how you survived it really. The last time you and the old man there were escorting some carriages. The master swordsman I hired mistook your partner for you but you took him out anyway!” Merrill laughed seeing the astonished look on Alec’s face.
“Why tell him all this? You know it just adds to the case against you?” Allan asked.
“I’m good as hung anyway and I don’t mind sticking it to the temples, never really liked their sort anyway!” He grinned.
They left the guardhouse after Alec signed a few papers that had his statement on them and some other legal stuff. He had a lot of things to think over. Merrill’s story kept running through his head. In some ways it made a twisted sort of sense. Alec was quiet on the ride back to the house recounting each encounter, turning it over and over in his head.
He followed George and Allan into the house and told them he was going to go to his room for a bit. George gave him a nod and said he’d send for him when supper was ready. Alec was barely able to acknowledge Christi as the shock from Merrill’s story was starting to sink in.
Alec lay on his bed staring at the ceiling trying to wrap his head around it. According to Merrill the gods wanted him dead. That was the short of it. What he didn’t understand, other than why, is why didn’t they just kill him themselves? Maybe there was some rule that said they couldn’t, after all they were pure and good beings weren’t they?
Sure he’d heard of gods that were considered evil but the gods of good were always said to be stronger, stronger and better. His whole theology and belief system was shaken. If the gods weren’t as good and pure as he believed then what were they, higher beings just playing a game with them? He remembered what lord Aaron had told him about some of them not being as good as they were supposed to be.
Questions and various ideas ran through his head one after the other. In the end he came to a realization, it didn’t matter what he was to the gods so long as they stopped trying to have him killed. He resolved to stay alert in the event that they would send others after him. He may not have magic any more but he would fight with all he had. Alec stayed there on his bed till sleep took him.
Alec woke as his door was opened. George stepped into the room and told him supper would be ready soon. George pulled out the chair in front of the desk and sat.
“So what’s your plan? I know it can’t be easy, knowing the gods themselves want you dead,” he asked.
“I can only do what I can. If the gods keep sending people after me then I’ll do what I have to stay alive. It may even mean going to the temples to find out why they want me dead. I’d rather not have to do that. I hope with Merrill and his crew in custody that will be the end of it since I don’t have any powers anymore,” he said.
“I see you’ve been thinking about it; at least you have a plan.”
The supper bell rang out shortly and the two of them walked down to the dining room. Christi asked if he was alright as he took his seat next to her in the dining room. He just told her he was fine assuming George and Allan had filled the rest of them in on what Merrill had said.
Jason announced Jimmy Hawkswing as they finished supper. Alec took a seat next to Jimmy returning the book of songs to him and pointed out which songs he’d memorized.
“Are you sure you have them memorized? A couple of those songs are a bit complex.” Jimmy asked.
“I think I’ve got them down, I’ve always had a pretty good memory. And I’ve already sang them once without the book.” Alec told him.
The entire family followed Alec and Jimmy to the inn he would be singing at tonight. Alec, Jimmy, and George rode in the open carriage with Allan driving it while Bill rode with the women in the enclosed one. Alec didn’t know the name of the inn they were going to but Jimmy seemed to be enjoying himself giving hints as to its name.
His final hint finally gave it away. He told Alec that he’d been there before he started attending the school. The carriages pulled up in front of The Busted Barrel and a couple boys came running out to them.
Alec couldn’t be sure but he thought he’d seen the one boy from the last time he was there. Alec went over and took Christi’s arm in his, leading her into the establishment. He just barely saw George’s nod of approval as he did the same for Jessica.
Jimmy turned to him, “Would you like to introduce everyone to the innkeepers, Brian and Polly? Keep in mind you’ll need to set our fee with them too,” Jimmy said.
“Yeah, I can do that. What’s the normal fee anyway?” Alec asked.
“I normally charge a tenth of drinks sold while I’m here and I drink free. With you singing, I’d start there and go as low as a sixteenth with drinks. Oh, and I’ll have ale tonight.” Jimmy told him.
Alec found Brian flowing from one side of the bar to the other. It wasn’t real busy but there were enough customers to keep him moving. Alec stepped up and made eye contact with him.
“You look somewhat familiar? What will it be, son?” Brian asked him.
“If I could have a moment of your time, so we can discuss some business, Brian.”
Brian yelled back to his wife asking for her to come up to the bar for a bit. Alec met him down at the end where he took a seat across from him.
“I wasn’t sure you’d remember me, I came with James Phillips and another boy just after the summer solstice.”
“Ah yes, you were the one headed to the school. I hope everything is going good?” he asked.
“Yeah, just fine. I’m Alec by the way.” He reached out and shook the man’s hand. “As I was saying, I have some business for you tonight. I’m here with Jimmy Hawkswing and we’d like to perform for you.”
“Hawkswing is here?” He looked out around his establishment. “It’s been awhile since I had a bard in this place.”
“Well, this is the deal. He’ll play his instrument as I sing.”
“He sent you to do the haggling, I see. What’s the fee?” He asked.
“I think we could do it for a tenth with free drinks for the both of us.”
“With my regulars here and it not being real busy let’s say a sixteenth with drinks.”
When they were done it boiled down to a fourteenth with drinks for them plus the Morton’s. Alec pointed out his group so Brian would know which ones to serve. Brian took his and Jimmy’s drink orders and Alec went over to their table. When he told Jimmy and the Morton’s of the deal he’d gotten a ‘not bad’ and a round of thanks came from the others.
As chairs and tables were pushed back Jimmy took him off to the side. He told
Alec to introduce him and do the short songs about the gods then go from there with his songs he’d memorized. Jimmy said he’d work them in with the others he and Alec both knew.
Jimmy took his seat in front of the big hearth and Alec raised his hand to quiet everyone down. As the applause died down after introducing the esteemed Master Hawkswing Alec sang. He saw his friends get a few refills but not to the point of over doing it throughout the night. Brian himself brought Alec and Jimmy’s drinks setting them down beside them.
The crowd grew as the night went on till the main room was fairly packed and more tables were pushed to the side. When it got late and close to closing time Jimmy started him on his favorite song, A Love Lost. With the news he’d gotten from Merrill and having Christi there with her family Alec poured his heart and soul into the song. When the song ended the crowd was quiet almost as if to give the young couple of the song a moment of their own. Alec thanked them saying that would be all for tonight as many wiped their eyes. As Alec bowed his head the applause was deafening and many cheered and yelled their appreciation.
Jimmy told him to go settle up with Brian when it quieted back down. Alec made his way to the bar with many of the patrons putting a hand on his shoulder and giving their thanks in person.
Alec took a seat down at the end of the bar again to wait for Brian to finish up. The few remaining people filtered out leaving just him and his group. Polly came around the bar and gave him a hug with tears still in her eyes. She told him that he had a beautiful voice. Christi came up and took the seat next to him and he introduced them. As the two women talked Brian came over and set two bulging pouches down in front of him. With a firm handshake he was told to come back anytime.
Alec picked up the pouches and headed for Jimmy where he was talking with Allan, he was surprised at how heavy they were.
Mage (The Elemental Magic Series Book 2) Page 7
