‘Ah, more vermin. This place is crawling with them,’ one of the wizards remarked to the other.
‘Not to worry, we can remedy that soon enough.’
‘So, who do we have to thank for thinking up those little wire traps?’ Jim asked in a calm tone. The wolves ceased snarling to listen.
‘So, the lion beast dares to speak does he? We’ll soon cure him of that,’ the wizards laughed together complacently.
‘No-one wants to take the credit then? Nor credit for these murders?’ Jim asked gesturing at the broken bodies, his tone even and still controlled.
‘What murders? It’s not murder to kill an animal.’
‘They look like men to me. Men with magic, just like you,’ Jim told them.
‘They are nothing like us; we are wizards.’
‘Once you lie dead you will look just like them. We are of course happy to illustrate this for you. We can even ensure your bodies are ripped apart and torn in a very similar way.’ Jim’s fangs now gleamed in the light the wizards had brought with them.
‘Enough,’ the third wizard, half-hidden in the background, snapped. ‘We are not here to chat with our quarry. However, in answer to your question, I designed and set the traps. I’m glad you like their efficiency.’
‘Keep still everyone,’ Jim advised his team mentally. ‘He’s cast a spell to immobilise us. Don’t let on it isn’t working.’
‘You power them yourself then?’ Jim asked conversationally but it was critical knowledge. If this wizard had rooted the traps in something else for power to sustain them, then they would be far more difficult to destroy. ‘That must be tiring.’
‘I have ample power for the purpose,’ the wizard assured. ‘Besides, we are not alone. There is another team ready to take over.’
‘Really? There are only you three walking about in the forest. Are you perhaps referring to those other three we came across earlier? We have already dealt with them. They certainly will not be coming to your aid.’
‘You’re lying. Besides, we have no need for aid.’
‘Is that so? Reach for them if you don’t believe me, assuming you have the power to do so.’
Something about this group’s lack of fear was deeply unsettling. Animus tended towards action, either flight or fight when threatened. This group were doing neither, but then unusually, each creature in this large group of seven was a powerful predator in its own right. He had little doubt however that it was down to the lion leader that they acted the way they were. He called to the other team and heard nothing. Strange. Becoming worried, he scanned for them in a different way and finally detected their position on the outside of the school’s walls. He homed in on the only one giving off any signature and found the man unconscious. He met the lion’s knowing eyes. Without another thought, he launched an attack on the lion leader. To his complete shock, the spell bounced off harmlessly.
‘They are shielded! They have a wizard with them,’ he cried to the others warningly. Now he knew why they were so fearless. He searched the auras of the seven creatures before him but the previously undetectable shield was strong and blurred his perceptions. He could not see them as individuals but as a glowing mass of power. Where was the wizard?
The seven animus abruptly walked forward in silent unison towards the nearest wizard. He hastily backed up, but had done so too late. To his horror, he discovered he had just become enveloped by, and trapped within, their shield wall. He’d been effectively separated from his colleague’s aid.
The four wolves instantly leaped on the wizard now within their reach. Fangs snapped in a blur of action, killing him in seconds and before he could muster a defensive spell. The two remaining wizards stared in horrified shock. The wolves lifted blood stained faces, stared at the other wizards and snarled, baring their bloody fangs over the corpse. They had bested a wizard in seconds. The junior wizard screamed, turned and ran.
Jim released the wolves from the shield hearing their need to catch this inquisitor before he could escape. ‘Remember those traps,’ Jim called to them hastily. He was aware the wolves were murderously angry, their human consciousness over-ridden by their wolf instincts. The dog pack had been a separate pack to the wolves, but they had been part of the larger family. Their murder would be avenged. In that angry red haze, Jim hoped they heard his warning. He could not go after them however; the lead inquisitor remained and was now busy bombarding him with vicious spells. Jim was very glad Amelie was here; her shields were far stronger than his own and melded together with Drako, they formed a very strong unit. The attacker’s spells continued to bounce off them, their shield proving ample protection against anything thrown at them, so far but maintaining it was wearing.
‘Is that all you’ve got?’ Jim taunted and a fresh flurry of vicious spells rewarded him.
Out in the forest they heard a shriek. The screaming seemed to go on forever but its sudden cessation was chillingly abrupt.
‘Sounds like one of your traps caught your own man,’ Jim said coldly. ‘So efficient of you. That wasn’t very nice,’ he added, swiping aside a particularly vicious spell that left him tingling. He began advancing on the wizard, casting spells of his own designed to cause pain and wear his adversary down. Jim ruefully knew he didn’t know the kind of battle spells that would enable him to finish this wizard off magically. He was only holding his own against this much more experienced wizard because Amelie was taking care of shielding them and they were drawing strength from Drako too.
‘You haven’t a mean enough character to think up vicious spells,’ Amelie told him. ‘You take over the shield and I’ll take over the fight.’
‘I can’t let you take the risk,’ Jim objected feeling torn. She was right; she probably was more able in a fight, but everything in him insisted he protect her from harm. She was his wife and the mother of his child. ‘I couldn’t bear it.’
‘Let me at him,’ Drako demanded listening to their conversation. ‘Get me closer,’ he ordered driving them nearer the vicious little wizard. He could feel the pounding both Jim and Amelie were receiving from this murderer. Such concentrated use of magic would gradually exhaust him. Drako waited his chance. He felt Jim receive a particularly powerful blow and recoil. ‘Let me out,’ he ordered and sprang bodily for the wizard.
Drako hit a shield wall but felt it waver; the wizard had not expected immediate retaliation after that powerful spell and a physical attack from another opponent took him completely by surprise. Drako’s bear’s physical leap against the shield was powerful and toppled over the weakened wizard inside. Drako’s strong bear’s claws and teeth set to work gouging and shredding the shield. This shield would easily have defeated an animus attack earlier, but the wizard had expended nearly all of his strength already fighting the combined forces of Jim and Amelie. None of his colleagues remained to aid him either. The shield began to sting him in retaliation but it only incited Drako’s fury further and made him work faster. Suddenly he broke through the shield and reached the evil man’s soft flesh and he could rend for real.
The wizard screamed, his magic was gone and he was now defenceless against the bear’s frenzied attack. He screamed in agony as massive claws slashed deeply, so fast and savagely that his torso was in ribbons in moments. Then the bear darted his head forward, his huge teeth sank into the wizard’s neck and a savage snap later, he knew nothing more.
Drako stepped back avoiding the spurting arterial blood and breathing deeply trying to regain control. His enemy’s severed head had rolled away and was looking up at them obscenely. He backed away, still shaking and sat in the clean grass. He felt he had fallen into a cesspool of blood, death and evil corruption.
Amelie and Jim joined Drako, equally silent, shocked, and needing a few minutes to recover from the savage mortal violence they’d all been part of. The wolves stepped out of the cover of the trees from where they had been watching, prudently out of the wizard’s sight, since they were not shielded. Everyone was glad to come throug
h relatively unscathed.
‘I’m going to burn these wizards and the camp so we leave no trace they were here,’ Jim said assessing the corpses. ‘Do you want me to cremate your hunters too?’
‘The way they look is going to upset their families,’ Freddie commented, but his eyes were on Drako in concern. He had never seen Drako attack with such savage fury in bear form. Usually his bear was peaceful. He was a black bear rather than a grizzly after all. Drako preferred to fight in his human form, but even in personal combat, he maintained his calm detachment.
‘Are you alright Drako?’ Amelie asked noticing Freddie’s worried expression. ‘Thank you for defending me,’ she added quietly and grasped his arm infusing him with her relief and thanks.
‘You are a mother, Amelie. I could not stand by and watch you risk your life tackling that vile murderer,’ Drako said simply. He was aware the others were watching him, so he got up, prompting the others into motion too. This contaminated place was far too grim a spot to rest.
Jim began incinerating each corpse, including the one who had actually not gone very far into the forest.
Drako searched the sparse camp for any useful clues about these wizards while the wolves headed back to the nearest trap to see if it had gone.
‘Traps have disappeared,’ Freddie announced. ‘Is that all of them do you think?’
‘Now, he’s dead; yes, they should all be gone,’ Jim said with considerable relief. ‘We should keep our eyes open though. You never know if they’ve left anything else. Traps don’t have to be magical to be vicious.’
Freddie scanned the place of such death on his return, but all the bodies had disappeared. He could still smell the blood that had soaked into the ground, but ordinaries would have to look closely to notice it and it would wash away in the next rain. He followed Jim to the inquisitor’s campsite where Drako was. Shortly that too had been burnt with wizard’s fire so only the items selected burned. The grass and even the ground beneath the tent were barely scorched.
‘Here are their horses,’ Freddie announced. ‘We might as well take them back; they’re good ones. I’ll scout ahead,’ he offered since someone would have to walk. He watched them all revert to human form retaining their fur to approach the six horses.
Since Jim did not mention the sleeping wizards, Drako let his wolves take care of them permanently. None of them wished to run the risk they might escape and spread the word of the animus stronghold. That would not of course make much difference if they had already reported it, but they could reduce the risk of discovery by quietly disposing of these enemies and all evidence of their presence outside White Haven’s walls.
***
Cassy held Drako’s hand at Tosker’s funeral. It was a strange ceremony; they were mourning four men but had only one body on the pyre. The people were tense and unhappy with more than just grief. They knew their last refuge had in all likelihood, been discovered. Many wondered if they would have to flee yet again. That was particularly hard to contemplate when they had all worked so hard to build homes and establish roots here. Their village was even starting to become self sufficient for their day-to-day needs. It had taken quite an adjustment to recall a civilised way of living. To go back to living in a tent hand to mouth and hunted like vermin, would be soul destroying.
Cassy felt Drako’s sorrow and guilt that he had allowed his hunters to go out into the forest so soon after the bomb attacks. Unfortunately, everyone still needed to eat regardless of potential threats. He had had little option. At least the manner of the other deaths was not common knowledge. It was better that their kin didn’t know just how horrific it had been for them in their final moments.
The ceremony took place with all due dignity and respect, in the unused area before the new bank. Drako then led the clan silently through the arch to the new large barn. The barn was not yet finished but it did have its roof on giving welcome shelter from the rain.
Drako had to do a lot of reassuring to his people afterwards. The news that six inquisitors “had been dealt with” last night shocked many silent. Whilst able to rejoice that the perpetrators of these murders were now dead and brought to justice, equally there could be more next time if the inquisitors knew who was here. They might come in force. Facing an army had always been a possibility whilst on the run, but because they kept moving, an army stood little chance of catching up. Now however, they had stopped running. They were easier to pin down once their enemies found them. The only reason they didn’t run now was that they had nowhere safer to run to. Here their numbers were disguised, there was a moat and they had solid walls around them. Their village was at least defendable, as a tent was not.
Freddie led his pack to the gates aware of the anxious expressions of people wondering if they’d ever be seen alive again. Jim had scanned for magical signatures earlier and declared the area around the school was safe, at least for the time being. It wasn’t possible to continually scan; it took a merge of strength to send his senses out over such a broad area. He could only do it sparingly. Freddie was satisfied with their information though. He had worried that those inquisitors were part of a larger force hidden nearby, but it seemed not. The main continual priority however was hunting and gathering food. They were now a complete team down, but the wolves were the best ones for the job.
22. An Unexpected Visit
‘My lord, there are soldiers approaching the gates. What should we do?’
Drako hurried to the main gates and up into the lookout tower. Ten soldiers with an officer at their head rode slowly and openly over the bridge. They were glancing about them at the moat, walls and towers with intent interest. Drako sought Cassy through his mental link so she could tell Jim.
Jim arrived in Drako’s mind directly and looked out through his eyes.
‘Stay out of sight Drako. Get one of your men to act gate guard. They don’t look like they mean to attack us and they don’t feel like wizards, so be polite! Send them up to me if they sound reasonable.’
They all heard the bell ring and Drako hastily instructed his man. The guard nervously poked his head out the tower window. ‘Yes?’
‘Hello there,’ the Captain called to the head that had just appeared above him. ‘May we come in? I am Captain O’Brien with the local patrol. I’d like to speak with the headmaster, or whoever is in charge now.’
‘Certainly: one moment please.’
The head withdrew and immediately the gates clanked and opened; clearly someone else was operating them. The Captain and his troop walked through the broad arched gateway tunnel, noting there were peepholes and defensive portals above their heads. It felt almost like entering a proper castle and was definitely a far cry from the broken walls and warped open gates visible on his last visit. Several very capable looking men stood awaiting them, grouped behind the one he’d already spoken to.
‘Please go on up to the school, Captain O’Brien. Headmaster Jim is expecting you.’
‘Thank you,’ the Captain responded, aware of a military polish in this man’s attitude. The graceful wave towards the school, visible in the distance up the empty driveway, gave him little excuse to linger and question these strangers, particularly as he had said the headmaster had already been informed of their arrival. As he moved his troop off towards the school, he heard a clang and noticed the gates had closed behind them. He didn’t remember there being a village down by the gates, but from the little he could see, it looked clean, prosperous and well-established, sturdily built in stone and brick. The school itself appeared unchanged, although the grounds in general seemed neater. The fully refurbished stable block was a surprise, but he realised they were now in line with the well-maintained appearance of all the other buildings.
A young man stood on the steps watching them approach.
‘Good morning, my name’s Jim,’ he introduced as the squad arrived and dismounted at the hitching rail. ‘I’m White Haven’s headmaster. I understand you are Captain O’Brien and that you wished
to speak with me?’
‘I do indeed. I’m pleased to meet you, sir. You are the new headmaster? Ah, what happened to the old one, Wizard Vako?’
‘Vako was an interim headmaster until a replacement could be found,’ Jim explained. ‘He appointed me and has returned to teaching.
‘He is still here then?’ the Captain enquired and noted the surprisingly young man’s nod. ‘I apologise for so many questions. We patrol the area and drop in now and again to check all is well.’
‘I see. Won’t you come in?’ Jim invited and led the troop to his office. Whilst he could have done without so many people crammed into it, he preferred them in one place where he could supervise them. He was certain the animus students in particular would be nervous to find soldiers roaming their sanctuary, especially unaccompanied. ‘Now you mention it, I do recall Vako saying he’d asked Lord Aubrey’s garrison to keep watch on the school. Fortunately, we are no longer quite so vulnerable, but I thank you for keeping watch on the school’s security when they really needed it.’
‘No problem,’ O’Brien asserted but was pleased with the recognition. ‘The repairs and new fortifications are your instigation?’
‘Yes. I must admit to being shocked there were holes in the walls big enough to drive a wagon through. It didn’t encourage me to sleep well at night, especially after hearing there’d been an actual attack earlier on in the year and the headmaster murdered.’
‘I can understand that. So the wall has been properly repaired and you’ve added a moat too?’
‘The wall isn’t large and it’d already been breached with wall breakers. A moat’s the best defence and dissuades rams quite nicely.’ He noticed the Captain was nodding agreement.
‘I also noticed you have people at the gate keeping watch and that they didn’t look like students.’
Clan Green Bear: Wizards of White Haven Page 26
