‘Ah, perhaps these are down to Jim though,’ Lord Aubrey remarked moving beyond the grouped bodies and gesturing to a swathe of charred corpses.
‘Yes,’ Tobias affirmed and swore as he surveyed the numbers. ‘Wizard’s fire, and hot enough to incinerate. Why would he kill so many?’
‘Necessity,’ Lord Aubrey said bleakly. ‘The numbers surrounding each of his men and those he caught in that swathe, prove just how outnumbered they were. I suspect he only did enough to scare the rest away so they could escape. I’ve seen enough. Where’s this new path?’
‘This way, my Lord,’ Captain Vorn said and led them through a cleft in the rocks walling the battlefield. The cliffs dropped steeply for about forty feet, before meeting the rolling plains below. Cut into the rock wall below them was a precisely sliced path, curving around the bluff out of sight and descending in a series of switchbacks. Even with the snow softening the ground, it was clear the path was manmade, carved out of solid rock.
‘Cut like a knife through butter,’ Lord Aubrey remarked, wide-eyed. ‘He did this with magic? Alone?’
‘Yes. There’s no blend of magic,’ Tobias said and gingerly followed his Lord along the narrow icy path down the cliff face. The residue of yesterday’s magic was still strong enough to discern.
‘Would this have taken long to create?’ Lord Aubrey asked.
‘I don’t know of another wizard who could have achieved this working alone. With the aid of a merged team, yes, but each switch-back section would still take a team many minutes to complete.’
‘His men must have been holding the bandits off his back for a while then. No wonder he was angry to have done all this and return to find them so hard pressed,’ Lord Aubrey remarked. ‘I’d have lashed out too.’
‘Yes, but this cliff path was an astonishing feat in itself. How was he still able to come to his men’s rescue? Just how strong is this wizard?’ Tobias added anxiously.
‘Strong enough to treat with considerable caution; a fact you might want to remind your Guild,’ Lord Aubrey advised Tobias quietly. ‘Whilst he seemed an amenable sort, he’s obviously defensive of those under his protection. This is a clear demonstration of what happens when someone tries to trap him. I think we need to keep in mind that any heavy handling on our part could just as easily trigger him to lash out at us. We need to take care not to back him into a corner. I prefer not to run the risk. He also appears to be very creative; I dread to think of what else he might do. However, after our meeting, he now knows I support him, and he seemed content to be working for Edmoston alone. I would rather keep it that way. I know your Guild is agitating to have him fully under their control, but he hasn’t yet been released by his own wizard’s Guild. In any case, the Eastern Guild wants to claim him too, and they have the authority to go straight over your head. Undoubtedly, a tug of war is imminent. As it stands however, he’s a powerful resource, or ally, to call on in my territory. Given his nature he would aid us in any troubled times ahead, but only if we keep his goodwill.’
‘Agreed, but how is he gaining so much strength? I’m worried such power will corrupt and we have no hold over him. He could truly become a very dangerous renegade.’
‘Where did they go from here?’ Lord Aubrey asked Captain Vorn once they had all safely descended the cliff path.
‘Their route meandered. They had the wagon and there aren’t any paths, let alone roads, from here. I’m amazed they got a wagon down that path,’ he couldn’t help adding.
‘I’d forgotten about that,’ Lord Aubrey admitted halting to look back at the cliff path again. He could not imagine how they had managed to squeeze a wagon down there. Riding single file had been hairy enough. ‘Did you see them travelling from here?’
‘No. We only caught up near nightfall. The wizard and another man were riding on the sacks in the wagon. The other three men walked, their horses laden with sacks. I assumed the two in the wagon were injured.’
‘Was Jim sitting up or asleep?’ Tobias asked.
‘Near nightfall he was awake, but when we caught glimpses earlier, no-one was visible.’
‘Ah, so maybe he does have limits,’ Tobias mused thoughtfully. ‘I’m assuming therefore that he was asleep and out of action for a few hours at least.’
‘That relieves your mind, does it?’ Lord Aubrey asked.
‘Yes. He’s not all-powerful then. Casting any spell saps you physically, but the bigger the spell the longer it takes to recover. If he was awake again just a few hours later, it does give us something of a guide as to his strength.’ They fell silent as they increased their pace to go directly to the ford. It was not necessary to retrace Jim’s steps faithfully, for nothing of note had happened until the river crossing.
‘The tree he planted is still moving,’ Captain Vorn remarked uneasily. The wind was making all the trees sway, but the one touched by the wizard moved more than its neighbours. Unless he was mistaken, it seemed to be creeping slowly, dragging itself further from the river as though it remembered it as a threat.
‘I need to see your memory of their crossing,’ Tobias said to the Captain. ‘Do you wish to view it too, my Lord?’
‘Yes,’ Lord Aubrey affirmed. He dismounted and joined hands with Tobias who linked to Vorn. That’s Drako! Lord Aubrey realised, only just remembering not to exclaim aloud. He was very relieved to see the young man who had been his squire, alive and well. Now he understood where Jim had come by such accomplished warriors; they were Clan Green Bear men. It was also clear that Jim had called them to meet him and as the river drama unfolded, it was lucky that he had done so.
‘Who is that woman?’ Tobias asked. Watching her turn into a huge eagle capable of carrying an animus warrior across the river was astonishing. ‘She is not an animus though. Look at the river divide around her; that’s a shield spell. I thought initially it was Jim, but no, she is casting the spell and it’s big enough to encompass the whole party.’
‘We had reports that Jim’s travelling companion was an animus woman,’ Lord Aubrey reminded him.
‘That’s right. From a distance, you can see why they would believe that. She is not though. I suspect she’s an animus warrior wizard, but I really hope I’m wrong.’
‘Why?’
‘Warrior wizards are generally the strongest of wizards. If she is Jim’s companion then she could be the reason for his rapid strength gains. I’d need to meet her to know for sure.’
‘Well, you did tell him he would need to be vetted. Perhaps we should make some plans so we are in a position of knowledge. The Eastern Guild’s Arch-Wizard Jared has already expressed interest in Jim, as you know; he will show his hand at some point. I’d rather we knew what we’re dealing with before he does. The parents will expect their children’s new headmaster to be checked out and approved too, of course.’
‘Yes, they will and that’s a very good idea, my Lord,’ Tobias conceded in relief. Having seen as much as they needed to, they returned home to Cedar Castle to formulate some plans.
3. Making Windows
Jim woke to a bright stripe of light glaring across his pillow from a gap in the curtains. He peered out, threw them open, then prodded Amelie awake to share the discovery. A fresh thick layer of pristine white snow blanketed the grounds and the sun bouncing off it was blinding. The storm had blown itself out overnight and the sky was now clear and blue.
‘I wonder if Drako slept in his new house last night,’ Amelie said gazing out at the frigid beauty of a snow-encrusted tree. She was heartily glad she was inside and no longer travelling exposed to the elements.
‘I bet he did.’
‘All those raw building materials were icy damp. His house will be very cold and uncomfortable for quite a while, even with a fire roaring in every room,’ she remarked in concern. ‘It’s not going to warm up much without glazing either. He’ll have to keep the shutters tightly closed even in the daytime and use candles to see by. Wonder if the cold would worry him though. His bear has a go
od fur coat.’
‘I don’t think he spends much time in his other form, but at least he does have that option. Fortunately, snow makes a good blanket, at least while it’s dry. I doubt if a little chilliness would have stopped him staying there last night though. He was like a little child on his birthday,’ Jim added laughing.
‘Talking of children, let’s get dressed,’ Amelie said. ‘I have a sudden need to dunk you in the nearest snow drift.’
‘Not if I get you first,’ Jim laughed.
They threw warm clothes on and ran outside. Soon other people came out hearing their laughter and shouts and a noisy snowball fight ensued. Virtually everyone came outside and even if only initially planning to watch, most quickly joined the fray. As snowy missiles deflected off hasty shields, few observers escaped a liberal spattering.
When the bell for breakfast rang not everyone noticed. Fortunately, the animus students, with their more sensitive hearing, heard and spread the word. Even then, Jim had to call an end to the fun. He was amused at just how many were coated in snow. They would probably need to change their clothes if they could not be-spell themselves dry. The dining hall buzzed with excited voices, the students rosy cheeked and cheerful.
‘Well that’s a better way to start the day,’ Max commented sliding into his usual place. His nose was still red and he rubbed his hands together trying to warm them.
Jim laughed agreement and noted even the burly drill instructor Bruno bore signs he had been out in the thick of the snowball fight.
‘What did I miss?’ Drako asked coming in after the dishes were already on the table. ‘Everyone’s wet,’ he added.
‘Snowball fight,’ Max explained.
Drako’s eyebrows rose in surprise.
‘My fault,’ Jim admitted, grinning like a mischievous little boy.
Drako laughed, the others joining in.
‘You slept in your new place then?’ Jim asked.
‘Of course; it’s mine,’ Drako said with distinct possessiveness.
‘Wasn’t too chilly then?’
‘I had to keep stoking the fire,’ Drako admitted and shrugged. ‘I wouldn’t have wished to be anywhere else though.’
‘We’ll have to see if we can get, or create, some glass for the windows. I asked Jasper to look into it. I imagine the library will have a textbook on the subject. I don’t think any of your people have glass yet and now there’s thick snow on the ground it’s not going to be so easy to find sand to make it.’
‘I thought your training ground had a sandy floor?’ Drako asked.
Jim blinked, ‘you’re right, I never thought of that. I’ve no idea if it’s the right kind, but we can do some experimenting. I assume you’d rather have glass in your windows?’
‘Oh yes. I know I can grow fur, but I’d rather have a warm house in winter.’
‘Don’t you need to hibernate?’ Amelie asked cheekily.
‘No, but sounds good to me,’ Drako laughed. ‘I certainly didn’t want to get up this morning,’ he admitted and tucked in to the delicious hot breakfast before him. That was what had pulled him out of his rather inadequate blankets. There was no food in his house. His sparse camping kit looked ridiculous on the spacious kitchen shelves consisting as it did of a single tin mug, plate and small pot. However, it proved to him how far he had come and he knew even his bare kitchen was better equipped than many of his people. The stove not only kept the kitchen warm, but also had a hot plate on top sufficient for two small pots. He had been able to make himself hot drinks. He even had water piped into the house to the kitchen and bathroom. This was real luxury, especially after living in a tent for so long.
He chatted with his hunters after breakfast knowing no one would be able to do any outside building or hunting now. Work could still go ahead converting any already collected raw materials into bricks, stone blocks or planed planks. It was also a good time to be building furniture, if you knew how. They did not have to stand idle due to the bad weather. In the meantime, they still had the warm dormitory in the school in which to sleep. That dormitory was also far warmer than many of the houses, certainly, until they had glass to seal the windows.
The hunters helped Drako disassemble his metal dormitory bed, tie it into manageable bundles and carry it down to his house. He had thought his camping pallet and blanket would be enough, but he now knew they were not. Until he built himself a bed, this ugly but serviceable metal bed, would serve to protect him from the icy cold floor.
Jim went up to the training ground with a bucket. The snow was deep and trackless. He was obviously the first person to walk this way and his feet sank knee deep on each step: tiring. He had to kick the snowdrift aside from the door to open it and enter the training ground. Drako was right; the arena was indeed, surfaced in a layer of sand. The sand was a rock hard and pitted, sheet of ice now though when he kicked at it. He supposed that the damp in this unheated building, combined with the sub-zero temperatures outside, had frozen the sand together.
He noticed the sand was usefully deep in the corners however. He spoke a few words, heating a small section and banishing the icy moisture sufficiently to loosen the sand. He scooped up half a bucketful. He let some sand trickle through his fingers and frowned; he did not have a clue as to whether this stuff would be suitable. It looked like it was the finer leftovers from quarrying the gravel used everywhere in building foundations and pathways. It was rather coarse, very utilitarian and a dirty yellow. If they could turn this stuff into glass however, everyone would want to take some. In no time, they would end up with a bare un-surfaced arena. Of course, once the snow melted off the quarry he could get fresh sand brought in to replace whatever they used. In any case, the arena could certainly use replacement sand to improve the surface.
He put the metal bucket down and concentrated on melting a spot in the sand. A blob formed in the sand, oozed and melted into a glowing red gold liquid. He stopped the spell and let the blob congeal and cool before reaching in to examine it. In his hand was a ball rather like a paperweight. He brushed off the clinging sand and held it up to the light. It was definitely glass but was rather cloudy, with a yellow tinge like the yellow of the sand it came from. It also had quite a few bubbles inside. He put it in his pocket and filled his big bucket to the brim. He rummaged in the adjacent sheds and found a second bucket, certain that one bucketful would not be sufficient. He did not want to trudge up here again today if he could help it.
He used his own deep footprints on the way back, which made it easier, especially now he was laden with two heavy buckets of sand. Once he got level with the school and joined the main drive, the footing became easier. Most of the villagers still relied on the school for their meals. Many feet had travelled this route before him and trampled a narrow path through the snow. While the bad weather made it less convenient to come up to the school, he knew they did not have enough food to feed themselves yet; they remained reliant on the school’s supplies. The school’s cooks at least provided hot and nutritionally balanced meals at regular intervals. He also felt better knowing that everyone had the opportunity to eat properly. The clan’s hunters had been very usefully contributing by keeping the cooks well supplied with meat. He would have to arrange another trade expedition for more grain in the spring.
He walked down the village street listening to sawing, hammering, and other signs of energetic activity going on indoors. The smell of wood smoke from the chimneys was warming and homely. The village already felt alive and a pleasant place to be. Not many of the windows were un-shuttered though, it would be dark inside. He turned up what he had mentally called Hunters Lane. Someone in the village had been busy with a shovel and broom clearing the depth of snow from a narrow path down the centre of the main street. Now he realised they had also cleared a path on the side street leading up the small hill to Drako’s house. Jim was glad, he was getting tired and his old worn boots had become wet through from the snow. He admired Drako’s house as he approached. Snow coated t
he roof in a glistening blanket. The shutters were tightly closed and smoke curled from the chimney. The sheltered veranda had been swept clear of snow and on Cassy’s swing-seat, he found Drako watching his approach.
‘I thought that might be you coming down,’ Drako greeted, having been able to watch a laden person walking down the drive for quite a distance. Jim had vanished amongst the buildings once he had turned into the village, and only reappeared at the foot of his lane. ‘What’ve you got there?’
‘Sand,’ Jim said and dropped the buckets. ‘Damn heavy,’ he added flexing his cramping fingers and rolling the stiffness from his shoulders.
‘You’ve been up to the training ground to get this then?’ Drako asked.
‘Yes. Snow is deep up there and I was the first on the track,’ he added, glancing at his boots with a frown. His toes were cold; his travel-worn scuffed boot leather was clearly letting the wet in. He concentrated a moment, the snow fell away and his boots suddenly started steaming, lightening in colour to their normal dry state, drying his socks in the process.
‘Come in and sit by the fire,’ Drako invited. ‘No, don’t worry about your boots; it’s too damn cold to take them off. These tile floors will wipe easily enough.’ He gestured Jim to the single rudimentary chair by the fire and brought inside the heavy block of wood he had been using as his firewood-chopping block. He draped the rough damp wood with a fur and sat down.
‘Here,’ Jim said and threw the ball at Drako.
Clan Green Bear: Wizards of White Haven Page 3
