Natalya: Wizards of White Haven

by Frances Howitt

  ‘If you’re planning to attract warrior students in greater numbers and of a higher calibre, it’s essential to provide adequate equipment.’

  ‘I agree. Mm, I’ll have to divert some people to making replacements,’ Jim remarked riffling through a stack of quilted leather jerkins. He realised he’d been remiss in having a look in here before now, but it had never occurred to him to do so.

  ‘Making replacements?’ Aubrey queried in surprise.

  ‘That’s what we do around here,’ Jim admitted. ‘New leather isn’t hard to come by with so many people to feed. If we needed replacement items in steel then yes, that is more problematic. But then again, a good blacksmith can repair or salvage many a broken blade or repurpose an unused item.’

  ‘You have a good blacksmith then?’ Aubrey asked glancing at the small and clearly rarely used smith shop here.

  ‘We do. The main workshop is down in the village, where the majority of our support businesses are located.’

  ‘I would like to see that later,’ Aubrey said.

  ‘Certainly,’ Jim responded, although he glanced sidelong at Tobias. He’d really rather not take him where he would probably notice and report everyone he saw was animus. ‘This other store has the more dangerous items.’

  ‘There isn’t much in here,’ Aubrey remarked in surprise. There were racks of the main different types of bow; from longbow, the smaller versions to crossbows and of course its differing ammunition. Otherwise however, there were only a couple of broadswords and a pair of spears.

  ‘With real weapons, serious accidents are more likely. It’s dangerous to have more than one bout in the ring at a time using real steel, so what we have is sufficient. Besides, swords are expensive.’

  ‘I suppose so, but what happens if one of these were to break? Presumably the lesson would then be over.’

  ‘Not necessarily. The main armoury is in the school building where dangerous items can be properly secured, supervised and safeguarded. If anyone were to break in to these stores here, their mischief would be of a limited nature.’

  ‘Ah. Yes, that makes more sense. I can see it’s convenient to store items here, but it is isolated.’

  ‘Exactly. Do you wish to see the archery field? Students are now on their way up.’

  ‘They are?’ Aubrey asked wondering how Jim knew that since he was still in the armoury doorway and couldn’t see the drive. Aubrey now stepped around the building and did indeed see figures approaching but in the distance still. ‘Certainly.’

  Jim halted at a post and rail fence just beyond the arena. There were three long narrow fenced areas with an assortment of targets in each.

  ‘This is what they class the beginner lane,’ Jim explained, pointing at three large clear targets placed at differing distances, but all relatively close. The middle lane was clearly designed to be more of a challenge and the third was set out with an assortment of tiny targets and others at considerable distances. Jim then moved further along to a gate accessing a wide mostly empty field.

  ‘As you can see there are horse stalls here beside this field. This is where students learn warhorse commands and cavalry manoeuvres. On the far side near the trees you can see some odd bits of hedge, walls and banks set out. That is a horse obstacle course. Students learn to negotiate and guide their horse over a variety of obstacles whilst travelling at speed. It’s a new addition to our facilities and has proved very popular with students, the horses and spectators alike.’

  ‘It sounds dangerous,’ Derek remarked.

  ‘It’s exhilarating, yes! It’s actually quite similar to hunting with hounds, but with the challenge being on a technically difficult ride done at the gallop. Riding onto a battlefield is dangerous. It is usually strewn with obstacles, manmade or natural. We do of course take steps to minimise the danger here, by only letting them go around singly. This is a fun and competitive sport for the students, but it does take skill and courage. It will ultimately aid them in coping with whatever challenges they might face travelling across country, without becoming trapped or falling off.’

  ‘Interesting idea. I can see the merit in what you’re saying,’ Derek admitted eyeing the course speculatively. ‘Learning the skills of riding to hounds is usually restricted to the nobility or wealthy. Recruiting good cavalry riders has always therefore been their preserve. Having a wider pool of recruits can only be a good thing.’

  ‘Do you think any will be going round today?’ Aubrey asked hopefully.

  ‘To be honest, I don’t know. As I said, it’s still very new and is just one skill option for our instructors to work on.’

  ‘Have you had a go?’ Derek asked.

  ‘No. I rarely have time to come up and there are always too many waiting to have a go whenever the option is open to them.’ Jim didn’t mention the fact he was not a bold horseman and that course looked scary. His lion came to the surface whenever he was nervous. His horse would undoubtedly sense the lion and panic, which was not ideal during an already potentially dangerous exercise. It was wisest not to risk embarrassment, or indeed serious injury, from being thrown off. ‘I have watched some going round though if you’d like to see?’

  ‘Yes please,’ Aubrey said eagerly and stepped within reach as did Derek. Jim didn’t bother inviting Tobias, leaving it to him to decide whether he wanted to be included. He knew Tobias was leery of touching him. As if Tobias had any remarkable strength or skills Jim would want to leach! Secrets were a far more likely reason for Tobias’ reticence. But to his surprise, Tobias reached for contact just as he was about to show the memory to the other two.

  ‘Now that did look fun,’ Aubrey remarked as the scenes ended and Jim broke contact. He glanced out at the field again. The students and horses hurtling round the field, leaping fences and springing up then dropping down off banks, had been quite a sight. He wasn’t surprised it was popular with spectators too.

  ‘It did, didn’t it,’ Derek agreed cheerfully. He would find out when the next lesson was scheduled and come and watch. He doubted he’d be alone. Meanwhile they headed back to the buildings and entered the arena. A group of students were gathered around a burly man who was giving instructions. Their party settled into the tiered seating to watch. Derek was a little surprised to note that the man was an ordinary human and also that the class had a mix of animus and wizard students. He said as much to Jim.

  ‘This is a physical combat lesson, in which no-one is allowed to use magic. Bruno has a lot of experience and is a good teacher. Even though he has no useable magic of his own, he can sense when magic is being used or in this case, when anyone is cheating.’

  ‘Ah, useful ability indeed,’ Aubrey remarked and then fell silent to watch as the students paired up with wooden practice swords and began working.

  Jim glanced at the members of his party; everyone, including Curtis and the small squad of soldiers were watching with considerable interest. Well, everyone except Tobias, who actually looked bored. Jim ignored him and returned his attention to the students. He could easily tell which of the pairs was animus for they moved remarkably swiftly, both their swords and their feet. In comparison, the few wizards in the class looked slow and cumbersome. Bruno moved around, stopping some to correct them or calling advice or instructions as he assessed each pair.

  ‘Is your warrior wizard in this class?’ Derek asked.

  ‘No. She’s here every morning with the second year’s warrior class. She’ll be in tactics at the moment. These are also second year students but not from the specialist warrior class.’

  ‘Ah. For non specialist warriors, they seem remarkably accomplished,’ Derek observed with approval. ‘Damn, those animus are quick,’ he added. He was unused to watching animus at work and their differing ability and in particular, their speed, was quite marked.

  ‘Thank you. I’m sure they appreciate knowing that,’ Jim said noticing one of the lads glance their way at that point and suspecting he’d heard.

  ‘When can I meet he
r?’

  ‘I’ll introduce you to Natalya at break. If you wish, you and Tobias could sit in on one of the classes while I take Lord Aubrey down to the village. Your legs are still healing and this is ample exercise for the day. Besides, Tobias is looking exceedingly bored up here.’

  ‘Are you sure you don’t need us?’ Derek asked having glanced at Tobias in surprise to find he was indeed gazing out the door.

  ‘No. You’ve been in the village already, there’s less of interest there for you both,’ Jim assured whilst hoping Derek would take the bait. Having Tobias in amongst all of Clan Green Bear’s fugitives was risking exposure. Animus people rarely had shielded minds; it would be easy for a wizard to eavesdrop and hear a snippet of thought that might expose their secret. Derek would be doing everyone a favour by keeping Tobias away and occupied.

  ‘The lesson is nearly over. We could start making our way back now if you’ve seen enough?’

  ‘That was most enlightening,’ Aubrey admitted and gladly left the unforgiving hard wooden bench in the draughty building and headed back outside into the weak sunshine.

  Jim led Lord Aubrey back into the dining hall, which was again thronging with students, but this time they were not neatly seated at tables. At his glance a small party of students politely vacated a window seat. He settled his guests there on upholstered seats in the sun while he fetched them refreshments.

  ‘May I assist you, sir?’ Curtis asked appearing at Jim’s elbow.

  ‘Ah, yes. If you could pour drinks for yourself and your lord and take them over, I’ll sort the patrollers,’ Jim said, busy pouring five cups of tea and loading them on a tray. Being careful to wait until no one was likely to cross its path, he sent the laden tray over to land on the table, amused that the escort sat watching it come with wide eyes. In the meantime, Derek and Tobias had filled their cups from another urn. Thus, in short order Jim could now return to the table with a plate of biscuits as well as his own drink.

  ‘Your food bills must be huge,’ Aubrey remarked as he took a biscuit and noticed the size of the platters of biscuits set out for the students and most especially how depleted they very quickly were.

  ‘Yes. Food is the one thing we can’t go short of. Someone with magic eats at least twice what a non-magic user does.’

  ‘You mean the animus?’ Aubrey asked.

  ‘No, wizards and animus eat exactly the same amounts because they both have magic, it simply manifests in two different ways.’

  ‘I’m not sure I understand the significance of what you’re saying; everyone needs to eat,’ Aubrey said.

  ‘Think of it like a fire; the more wood you add the hotter and brighter the flames. A fire can subsist with hardly any fuel but you can’t expect to do anything useful with it, like cooking, until it’s revived and is properly hot.’

  ‘What an unusual comparison but I think I now understand. Animus and wizards, by the same token I’m assuming, therefore, can only do extraordinary things when well fed?’

  ‘Exactly.’

  ‘What’s wrong?’ Aubrey asked quietly noticing Jim go still and focussed and then he turned around to watch a particular group of rather boisterous students come in and head directly for the tea urn.

  ‘Natalya.’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘I’d like you to come and meet some people.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Lord Aubrey wishes to visit the village and its best that wizard Tobias in particular doesn’t come with him and perhaps see too much. He would be far more interested in meeting you and certainly wizard Derek has asked to be introduced.’

  ‘Why do they want to meet me?’

  ‘Wizard Derek felt you shaking the building the other day when you threw that paint around. He is due to join our staff next week once his legs have fully healed. You should know he has much experience in training wizards to become warriors. He will become one of your teachers, in fact the primary one, so be nice.’

  ‘I’m to be a diversion?’

  ‘Yes please. I’m sure they’ll be interested in accompanying you to your next class too.’

  ‘Thanks a bundle!’

  ‘Just finish your tea and get over here,’ he added and beckoned to cover the fact he’d already mentally summoned her.

  ‘You called sir?’ Natalya asked Jim politely.

  ‘My lord, I’d like to introduce my fiancée’s sister Natalya. She is a warrior wizard,’ Jim said.

  Natalya discreetly gave the party the once-over, as Jim introduced her; aware the lord, the two wizards and even the guards were watching her closely.

  ‘Lord Aubrey, I believe?’ she said and sketched him a quick but respectful bow. Trust Jim to announce her as a warrior wizard; now there would be no disguising herself or fading into anonymity.

  ‘You are a warrior wizard?’ Aubrey asked, rising to greet the tall and charismatic woman. She had a fierce aloof beauty like a raptor and eyed them as if she was choosing her next meal or perhaps considering flight. She smiled, dispelling the predatory effect but he realised she was uncomfortable being the centre of attention.

  ‘So I’m told. I’m pleased to meet you sir.’

  ‘Likewise,’ Aubrey said and noticed the two wizards eagerly approaching. He stepped back and assessed the small crowd; most were watching Natalya and the two wizards were almost fawning over her. He noticed Jim watching them with a hint of satisfaction; the timing of this introduction was clearly deliberate. Why?

  ‘Jim, have you told Drako you’re bringing people down?’ Natalya privately asked.

  ‘Not yet. Why? Is something going on down there today?’

  ‘You should take Cassy with you on the tour.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Drako can’t be seen, so as head woman it’s up to Cassy to stand in his place to defend the Clan’s interests. I’ve just spoken with her and she agrees. She’ll have to miss last lesson, but she and Drako agree this is potentially more important. She’s headed out now. It will seem less strange for her to meet you there than tag along from here.’

  ‘Thank you Natalya, I wouldn’t have thought of any of that.’

  ‘I know and my thanks are the two exceedingly curious wizards you’ve foisted on me. Incidentally, how open should I be with Tobias? I get the feeling you don’t like or trust him overly.’

  ‘He’s a good little guild member. Don’t tell him anything you’re not happy being public knowledge.’

  ‘Understood. This is going to be a fun afternoon.’

  ***

  Lord Aubrey followed Jim into the village and looked around him in amazement. The village was solidly constructed of stone, brick or timber and looked as though it had been there for years, when in fact he knew it had not. Everywhere was neatly kept and the roads cleanly cobbled in stone.

  ‘Well this is a surprisingly affluent and pleasing looking place to house your staff,’ Aubrey remarked.

  ‘Thank you. Although this village is not designed for staff in the conventional sense because we do not exclusively employ them. We have staff cottages and apartments up at the school for those that we do employ. Essentially, this is an independent village positioned to primarily supply the school with its every day needs. Because the workshops are here on site, we have no problems with unexpected supply delays, or businesses deciding to bow to pressure and stop supply, or changing the style of what they make. There are a lot of benefits in this system. Our orders take priority, but the people’s time is their own and they are free to fit other things in.’

  ‘You’ve obviously done a great deal of planning, work and negotiating to set all this up. I’m impressed. This arrangement is another reason the school is beginning to prosper, I imagine?’

  ‘Yes. We’ve cut down our supplier bills markedly. We aren’t yet self-sufficient in many things, but we’re working on those that we could do ourselves. It all helps.’ Jim led him down the street, pointing out the various industries as they passed. Cassy ambled down the street keeping comfortably ah
ead of them although Jim knew she was in listening range.

  ‘I couldn’t help noticing that your lumber mill is unusually busy even though the yard is already heavily stocked with worked timber planks and posts,’ Lord Aubrey remarked. ‘What are you planning next?’

  Jim eyed him for a long moment; he could hardly admit that it was destined to secretly rebuild Féarmathuin castle.

  ‘Tell him we’re planning to build an Inn on site to cater for the many visitors we receive and of course for your wedding guests,’ Cassy suggested mentally and heard Jim gratefully grab and voice that explanation.

  ‘Interesting. I suppose that would be a money earner too?’ Aubrey enquired slyly and Jim shrugged. ‘You plan on a bar too? That might become problematic so close to students.’

  ‘I’m sure we can work out a way to bar the underage from alcohol and also discourage general overindulgence.’

  ‘If you can, then that knowledge would be of use elsewhere,’ Aubrey observed. ‘I doubt parents will appreciate having drunken brawls occurring within school grounds.’

  ‘Too true. I will give it some thought as and when we are up and running. I’m sure some volunteers will present themselves to practice on,’ Jim observed with a small smile and Aubrey gave a short bark of laughter.

  He noticed just how much Lord Aubrey was looking about him as they traversed the village street, not just looking at the businesses, but also any of the people in view. His interest and curiosity was apparent.

  Since he had already expressed an interest, Jim wasn’t surprised Lord Aubrey went into the smithy even though they could hear the clang of hammers from outside. Aubrey eyed the racks of completed tools in evidence as well as the pails of nails, bolts and latches. This workshop was most definitely fully in use.

  Bruce now had two apprentices to help with the simpler tasks. He’d been inundated with orders for hammers and axes, picks and shovels. Then the farmers needed scythes, ploughs and spades, whilst the timber yard needed saws, files and planes. Everyone needed a variety of knives, whether for domestic use, hunting or defence. Creating a strong sharp blade took time and skill. Now he also had Darius’s workforce to outfit and they needed serious weapons too. Drako had popped in only a few minutes ago to warn them of Aubrey’s impending visit, which had necessitated a quick scout round to hide any weapons. One useful side effect of returning to Féarmathuin Castle was that it was strewn with wreckage and war debris. Bruce had asked them to collect and bring back any broken metal item they found so he could melt it down to transform into something useful. Broken weapons and armour, mixed with strewn domestic items, was littered all over Féarmathuin since many homes had been ransacked and the fighting fierce enough for people to grab anything they could to fight or shield themselves. He could find a use for most scrap, especially as purchasing new material from traders was expensive and coin was scarce. Unfortunately, much of the scrap brought in had suffered from years of exposure to the elements; rust had taken its toll.