‘But you’re wearing a smile,’ Trent observed. ‘The right woman will do that. Here,’ he said and pressed something small into his son’s hand. ‘That was your mother’s. She particularly wanted you to have it when the time was right.’
‘She wanted me to have her wedding ring?’ Drako asked, a lump in his throat. His father nodded and he glanced up at the ceiling where Cassy slept.
‘It’s about time you were engaged and took that remarkable little lady off the market. Don’t do it today though. You’ve both had too many traumas and neither of you is very well. You should ideally speak to her father first. Have you met him?’
‘No, I’ve never met any of her family and I’m sure they don’t even know about me,’ Drako said his head drooping despondently. ‘They may not like me because I’m animus,’ he added.
Trent frowned, his heart going out to his son yet again. ‘Let her speak to them so they do know of you. I hear she’s a wolf, make sure you are her family.’
‘Am I intruding?’ Ebony asked walking in on the highly unusual sight of her father and Drako talking quietly but earnestly together.
‘Not at all,’ Trent said easily and passed Drako the gold chain, hidden in his fist, without comment.
Drako remembered his father wearing his wife’s ring on this chain; now he would wear it, but destined for Cassy. He threaded the ring on the chain and slipped it over his head whilst his sister wasn’t looking his way. His father smiled at him and he dropped his hand from the small but so important shape beneath his shirt.
‘Ebony, when Drako returns to his new home I think you should accompany him,’ Trent told her. ‘This is no place for you. There at least you will be safe and meet many unrelated animus people. Your brother has a lovely house all to himself, although you’ll have to persuade him to build more furniture than his one large bed.’
‘Dad! I haven’t had time to make much else,’ Drako complained. ‘She is of course very welcome. But in the meantime there is also warm space in the school,’ Drako reassured his sister. ‘Max or Jim would make sure you had a place,’ he added.
‘Ah yes, the owl Max,’ Trent drawled, his gaze on his daughter speculatively. Max was a little older than Drako, but so too was Ebony. ‘I liked him.’
‘Dad you’re not trying to set me up, are you?’ Ebony asked suspiciously.
‘Not at all, my dear. You’ve probably heard the headmaster is called Jim? Well he might be a youngster but he’s a powerful wizard and a lion. Max is an owl and in addition to being the animus teacher, he is the deputy-head. He’s responsible for all the animus students I believe. I’m sure he would find a place for you. When do you plan to return?’ Trent asked Drako changing the subject quickly.
‘I don’t know yet,’ Drako responded in surprise. ‘I want to be sure Cassy is recovered first. Jim and Amelie healed her, but the injury has taken all her strength. You don’t need me then?’
‘You’ve already answered most of the questions I had and the reasons I sent for you,’ Trent admitted. ‘Now what I do want to discuss is whether it’s feasible for more of our people to make a home in your new village? What can we do to help?’
12. Ebony
‘I hope you’re not meaning me to act as Drako’s chaperone,’ Ebony asked her father once Drako had left the room.
‘No, that boy has more self control than I do,’ Trent admitted. ‘The feelings those two have for each other.’ He shook his head, ‘well, I wouldn’t wait in his place. I least of all will be surprised, or upset, if she arrives at her wedding already pregnant. You should stop frowning at him and concentrate on learning from his example. Find yourself a man of your own. I’d love to see you as happy and settled.’
‘Dad, are you ok? You’re not sick?’
‘Of course I’m not sick. Why shouldn’t I be concerned for my children just because you’re grown? I miss your mother; she would have done this advising thing better. I waited too many years to claim her; years we could have had together. I foolishly thought we’d be finished with wars and be able to wait to have a secure home in which to raise a family. I don’t want you to fall into the same trap. You cannot postpone the best reasons for living because of war or you’ll end up old alone, or too twisted for joy as Darius is becoming. Find a man who makes the sun shine for you and create a family of your own. Follow Drako’s example rather than Darius’s.’ He got up, collected Darius’s coat and went to check on him.
Ebony stared after him in complete surprise. Her strict father was splitting them up and not only finally sending her somewhere with unrelated animus men, but he was encouraging her to actively look for a husband outside the clan! The thought was scary but exciting. She had had so little to be positive about in the last year that her spirits had bordered on apathetic depression. So many friends had been killed, or captured she felt she was perpetually grieving. It was only the need to buffer her people from Darius’s uncertain temper, which gave her life any purpose at all. She went up to her room, looked at her belongings and began sorting and packing all those items not in immediate use. She had little doubt that as soon as Drako thought Cassy strong enough, he would whisk her away. They had not brought a single packhorse with them. They must have shared a single tent on the way here. She glanced out the window; another overcast chilly day, but at least it wasn’t snowing.
She donned warm clothes and went out to the stables. She spotted Drako’s familiar and distinctive big black stallion but beside him was a smaller black mare she didn’t recognise. Ebony assessed Cassy’s horse; the conformation was good and clean, her eyes bright and intelligent. This mare looked a bold, honest and comfortable mount. The kind of horse someone chose to ride could be revealing and this mare did fit what she had already discerned of Cassy’s nature. She moved along to her own horse, tacked up and rode out. In preparation for a long winter journey, they needed the exercise after their weeks of rest. Her horse was no longer so bony now and was eager to get out of the stables and look around. The footing was uneven however, with many potential hazards hidden under the snow, so she kept to a walk. She nodded to the sentries, and remained within the shelter of the forest where her profile could remain hidden and not visible for miles.
When she returned to the stables, an hour later, she had a better appreciation of just why no one travelled if they could possibly help it this time of year. It was exceptionally bitter; she would need to choose her riding clothes with care. Just being outside unprotected and far from shelter was hazardous.
‘Is it true you are returning with Lord Drako to the new village?’ Ebony was asked as soon as she returned to the stables. She noticed quite a crowd had formed awaiting her return and for her words.
‘Yes. I’m keen to see it for myself and help Drako get it fully setup. Being less than a month old the new village isn’t yet self sufficient,’ Ebony told them leading her horse into its stall and removing the tack. ‘Our people are also leaning heavily on the school. Drako’s new home hasn’t even any furniture in it yet I understand, but the structure is finished. I’m hoping that by the time spring arrives and the clan needs to leave here, I will have helped prepare places for some at least to move to. There are more of us in this group remember, and we don’t yet know how much more land the wizards will be prepared to grant us within their walls. Some of you have close family there. Drako’s Cassy, designed and helped build many of our people’s homes. She may remember which of them have extra rooms in their homes so some of you could stay with family, at least temporarily. At this point, we are at least working on some real permanent solutions for all of us. None of us wants to go through another year like the last one. But with a safe haven available for our vulnerable members to go to, the rest of us will find it easier to evade detection and survive.’
‘Cassy is the wizard white wolf?’
Ebony smiled at the title. ‘Yes, my father has approved her for Drako.’
‘How is she? We heard she’d been knocked unconscious and had a nasty head
wound last night.’
‘She did and it nearly killed her,’ Ebony stated bluntly, her anger obvious. ‘Fortunately she is recovering. I imagine Drako will be leaving in the next few days, or as soon as she’s well enough. It’s not a nice trip this time of year but he needs to get back.’
‘Is there a list for us to put our names down to go to the new village?’
‘Not yet. We only talked about it a couple of hours ago,’ Ebony admitted, glad they were eager, but she was also worried they would all try to go immediately and cause problems. ‘I’ll sort something out but I’ll need to speak with Cassy and I’m not going to push that on her today. Have patience, we’re safe enough here for the time being.’
She finished off looking after her horse but one of the men came forward to take her tack now that she’d finished speaking.
‘I’ll clean this for you, my lady,’ he offered.
‘Thank you,’ she said gratefully and walked quickly back to the Inn. In the lounge, Drako and their father sat looking at a sheet of paper.
‘Been riding?’ Drako asked.
‘Yes. Thought I ought to get some exercise in readiness. It’s damn nippy out,’ she added. ‘A whole crowd were waiting for me when I got back. They want to know when they can go to your village Drako. I tried to tell them only the vulnerable could go in the spring and possibly those with family who might have spare rooms. They were asking to be able to put their names down.’
‘Thought they might,’ Drako admitted and pushed the sheet towards her.
‘What’s this?’ she asked shedding her coat and hat. ‘Ah, a list of the clan already at the village,’ she said, reading it. ‘What does this mark mean?’
‘Those are the ones working for the school and in school accommodation. None of them will be able to take on lodgers. These here are the hunters who don’t yet have homes built. That’s why they came with me on this trip. Everyone else is so busy finishing building, making furniture and generally setting up their new home that I didn’t want to pull them away. I think that’s every household, but I may have missed some.’
‘Hang on, where are all the children? This family has four teenagers but they’re not on your plan,’ Ebony pointed out.
‘Virtually all the older children have been enrolled in the school and sleep in the house’s dormitories,’ Drako explained. ‘Generally speaking that’s working really well. The children are supervised, fed and learning many new and useful things. They’re also making friends outside the clan in a normal safe and regulated environment. So many have had to grow up too soon and missed out on a proper childhood; this is doing them the world of good. The parents then have the freedom and time to concentrate on the jobs that need doing. Obviously, those with small children have kept charge of them. David for instance, took a stable hand job and was given an established cottage ideal for them with the children.’
‘You’ve done remarkably well,’ Ebony said. ‘I haven’t even seen the place but can tell that.’
‘One of the wizards designed each and every building,’ Trent told her. ‘Then the whole school, as I understand it, turned out to do the actual building. These houses are not simple wattle and daub; they are log or stone, or brick permanent structures. The village therefore looks remarkably well established and affluent. It also looks as though it has been there for years, and is good cover. No doubt young Cassy had more of a hand than just the house interiors,’ he added with a sly grin at Drako. ‘Everyone seemed to know her and be calling for her help.’
‘I know; that’s why she’s so thin. She’s trying to design a whole village worth’s of interiors, which I understand is far more complicated than the exteriors, as well as keep up with her school work. She will have a couple of week’s worth of schoolwork to catch up on her return too. This trip hasn’t been much fun or a holiday for her as you know.’
‘You’ll just have to find a way to make it all worthwhile for her,’ Trent said blandly.
Ebony coughed, knowing just what her father was suggesting, courtesy of their earlier conversation. ‘Dad, I know you don’t mind, but they aren’t married yet. Stop giving him ideas.’
Drako looked from one to the other wondering if he’d understood correctly. ‘I’m going to go check on her,’ he said unsure he actually wanted to know what his father meant. Ebony would probably tell him so there was no need to try to figure out the ambiguous comment. He had enough on his mind. Yet again, his hand went to the ring suspended around his neck. Cassy could read his mind so easily but he did not want her to find out about this before he’d had a chance to ask her properly.
Drako unlocked her bedroom door and entered. She slept still, her blonde hair spread across the pillow. Her small hand held the blankets up to her chin. He covered her hand lightly with his own and let his feelings guide him into her upper mind as she’d labelled it for him. Finally satisfied she slept and wasn’t in need of anything, he sat beside her, his gaze turned to admiring her peaceful face.
‘You’re going to wear out my face, or your shoes,’ Cassy told him opening an eye.
‘There’s nowhere else I want to be,’ he admitted and reached down to kiss her. Unexpectedly she pulled him horizontal beside her and hugged him close.
‘What’s the matter? You seem nervous of something,’ she asked him.
‘I’ve a lot on my mind,’ he admitted.
‘What kind of thing?’
‘Well, dad wants us to take Ebony back with us. From what he said, he’s hoping she’ll find herself a man! Then, hearing she’s coming, everyone wants to know when they can come too. Convincing people we need them to delay going to White Haven and safety, isn’t easy. I’ve been putting together lists of everyone in the village that might have spare rooms, as far as I can remember, which would help.’
‘Ah, so I’m your excuse to get away?’ Cassy asked.
‘No, you’re my priority and my sanctuary,’ he corrected. ‘Are you hungry? Dinner won’t be long now.’
‘Yes, now you mention it,’ she said with a small smile. ‘Have I time to clean up first?’
‘Clean up?’
‘Wash the blood out of my hair. I noticed it earlier and it’s not a pleasant reminder.’
‘True. Would you like me to help?’
‘No need, I’ll be quick. You sit and relax. You do need to as well, you know,’ she added.
‘I will,’ he affirmed and lay on top of the blankets on her bed since he was dressed. She leaned over him for a quick kiss then she was off down the hall. He listened to her even steps down the corridor and the sounds of the door closing and lock sliding across. Only then did he close his eyes, breathing in her scent from the sheets and feeling her residual warmth in them.
When Cassy returned Drako slept. Looking at him sleep made her realise why he kept coming in to look at her. She took the opportunity to change into her blue dress with the long sleeve top below and her boots. She brushed the tangles from her hair then magically dried it. She brushed it smooth again and glanced back at Drako. His eyes were open and watching her. She wondered if he had seen her undressed but he had already looked into her very soul and hadn’t run yet. She had nothing left to hide from him. She went over to him and he wordlessly pulled her onto the bed beside him and kissed her, expressing his feelings to her in such a rush of sensory emotion that she was left gasping. Something again pulled him up short, something she sensed that he was aching to share with her, but that it was not the right time. She let him release her, now getting the feeling he was striving to avoid her finding out through reading his mind. He was animus; he had no clue how to shield his thoughts, but this was obviously what he now needed to know how to do. She straightened her dress and whilst he still sat, she took the brush and smoothed his hair. She tied it for him aware he felt scruffy with his hair loose. She thought he looked wild and sexy, but since they were about to go for dinner, neat was appropriate.
The dining room was full, with every table taken. The large room was set
out with many small tables designed to seat four. Many of the tables had been pushed together to make larger groupings.
‘Drako!’ Freddie called with a small wave and he resumed his seat beside Ebony. Drako guided Cassy to join them aware they were being scrutinised closely. He now knew why Cassy had washed her hair and wore that beautiful dress. She looked stunning, moving with a light grace despite the heavy boots.
Cassy sat opposite Ebony and was very glad she had made an effort with her appearance; everyone seemed to be watching her although they didn’t seem as intrusive as the others had been at the school. Here she sensed curiosity and acceptance more than anything else.
‘How are you feeling?’ Ebony asked her. ‘You look a great deal better.’
‘I feel it. Not that I’ve any strength yet. I keep flagging every few minutes and needing to sleep,’ Cassy admitted.
‘Sleep is often the best cure. What happened to your chin?’ Ebony asked and noticed Drako glance at her in surprise.
‘His beard,’ Cassy said with a small smile.
‘I could shave it,’ Drako offered immediately feeling embarrassed and guilty.
‘We’ve had this conversation before, no,’ Cassy told him gently. ‘We’ve still the trek home to do and I won’t have you risking frostbite.’
‘You could always stop kissing her,’ Freddie suggested, his eyes twinkling.
‘Or he could change his beard into his bear’s fur,’ Cassy suggested. ‘A bear doesn’t have bristles. Dinner’s here, try it later,’ she added as laden plates arrived.
Drako met Freddie’s then his sister’s eyes; they had never heard of such a thing. ‘Do you think that’s possible?’ Drako asked her.
‘Why not? You’ve learned how to grow your fur on your human body but still keep your head free. What’s the difference?’
‘Hang on; you’ve learned to do what?’ Ebony asked.
‘That’s right, I haven’t had a chance to tell you,’ Drako smiled. ‘Amelie figured it out, but any animus can learn to grow their fur or feathers to cover their human form. It’s very useful. Who likes standing naked hunting for clothes when it’s cold or there are people about?’
Clan Green Bear: Wizards of White Haven Page 16
