Drako heard a snort hastily silenced by someone else and blinked. ‘You were the wizard that halted the battle?’
‘Yes. Word seems have spread about that,’ Jim admitted and moved away from the table.
‘Hang on. I heard some wild sounding story about a river changing course and separating the armies.’ Drako eyed both the battleground and Jim.
‘Amelie was hurt in the fighting. I pulled her out then realised we were about to be overrun.’ He pointed to a tent. ‘I cut a ditch here,’ he said and cut a tiny groove in the model. ‘Then I linked it to the river at the top of the hill. Gravity did the rest, splitting the two sides. Then I was able to escape with her.’
‘Sir, how were you able to cut the ditch? Did you use Amelie’s strength?’
‘No, she’d been badly injured and had barely the strength to walk. I did it alone. Wasn’t easy,’ he added.
Drako noted that the students, many of whom looked to be of similar age to Jim, were staring in impressed shock. They too then thought it a surprising feat. They would have more appreciation for what it truly took to do something like that.
‘So what have you learned from this battle?’ Jim asked the lad who’d asked the original question.
‘That they were foolish to discount you, knowing you to be a wizard. Didn’t they know just how powerful you are?’
‘But I’m not particularly strong,’ Jim objected and noticed they were all looking at him in disbelief. ‘Well I didn’t used to be,’ he added.
‘Amelie; I bet that’s what it is. She’s changed you,’ the lad said glancing round at his fellows to see many nods. ‘Heck, I feel different after melding with her once for those cottages and I certainly wasn’t the focus of her attention.’
Jim squirmed a little at the suggestion that she’d got her claws in him. But the thought that something about their partnership was changing both of them, because he knew it wasn’t a one way process, was a little unsettling. He abruptly noticed Drako watching him with a small smile. ‘Thank you for your interest in my personal life,’ Jim said drolly. ‘If I’ve changed, she certainly has too. She hadn’t done any spells a week ago; she didn’t know she could.’
‘Hang on,’ Drako said quickly. ‘I thought she was animus?’ He glanced quickly at Louis.
‘Yeah, she can do that too,’ Jim said drily and headed for the door aware of Drako’s and Louis’ stunned silence and Terry’s grin.
Confused, they hurried after him. ‘What is she then?’ Louis asked.
Jim paused to consider them. ‘Vako called her an animus warrior wizard. He said he’d seen one before, but only one and that turned out to be her grandfather. It's a small world!’
‘She’s a warrior wizard?’ Drako mused. ‘So that battle she was injured in, she was fighting alongside the men?’
Jim heard Drako’s surprise and disquiet. ‘Not in human form. She’d been disguised as my horse. I think Lord Dirk had guessed she was animus, but either way he insisted on taking her off me and riding her into battle. They covered her in chain mail with armour head and neck guard. Then Lord Dirk got on in full knight’s armour. I was fuming, but had to stand by and watch. Some hours later she was struck side on by a damn carthorse and went down. When I got the armour off I found a huge spike in her shoulder.’
‘You walked into the middle of heavy fighting?’ Drako asked, knowing a knight would always attract a dense knot of enemies.
‘Yes, I suppose I did. I was running and didn’t notice. We did a re-enactment here and I don’t know what I did, maybe a shield, because soldiers saw me but couldn’t get at me,’ he mused. ‘She passed out when I pulled the spike out. There was no way she could maintain her horse form then, so I think many people saw me take a woman off the battlefield. I wasn’t really thinking of any of that at the time.’
‘No. One priority becomes clear in battle and it isn’t always the one you thought it’d be,’ Drako responded, understanding that blind determination to save a life. ‘You love her,’ Drako added gently.
Jim nodded wondering what Drako’s story was. He went into the dining hall and noticed the tea urn and mugs had been put out. Yes the clock was about to chime for break. ‘Tea? Let’s get it before the crowds arrive,’ Jim said. He took his drink over to the window and sat at the table there. The animus class came in first. Jim suspected Amelie had rushed to come and find him. She gave him a very searching look, collected her tea and approached.
‘May I join you?’ she asked.
‘Of course,’ Jim said with a warm smile and she slid onto the bench beside him. She abruptly stopped before she touched him remembering his bad arm and ribs were on this side. She took the hand resting on the table instead. In moments she learned what had been said with Drako. She also felt Jim’s sudden jealousy, aimed squarely at Drako because of his interest in her. She lifted his hand and kissed it aware of just how possessive and protective he was feeling. She rather liked this raw instinctive male response in him. The more attuned he became to that primal side, the more sensual he became too. Learning his own body’s responses and needs helped him discover and appreciate hers too.
‘Am, pack it in,’ Jim said softly.
‘What?’ she asked with feigned innocence. The laughter rippling through his voice made her warm inside and linked as they were he knew it.
‘So did you enjoy the lesson?’ Jim asked Gerald.
‘Very much,’ Gerald said and smiled suddenly, seeing a pair of the animus girls look his way.
Jim noticed Gerald glance at Drako meaningfully and that Drako looked across at the girls with more interest. Then he glanced about the room noting just how many girls there were, although he wouldn’t know who was wizard and who animus.
When the bell went Amelie left with Max and the animus class, leaving Jim to continue the tour of the school with Drako.
‘This lesson we’re going to explore just how different our senses are when in our animal form,’ Max instructed and handed out sheets to each student.
Amelie changed like everyone else into her panther form. But having to read and write down answers to the questions on the sheet meant she had to keep returning to human form. Everyone of course knew she was the headmaster’s girlfriend and she was aware they thought her weird because of the wizard ability. But it meant they kept staring at her. It also meant she was self conscious standing naked to fill in the form. She also felt cold and annoyed to be thinking of having to dress first. She closed her eyes and her human body sprouted panther fur, all except her head. Now she was warm, with dignity reinstated.
‘Amelie, how did you do that?’ Max asked noticing immediately and coming over.
‘I was cold,’ she told him and his body, above the decorously wrapped towel, was covered in goose-bumps too. ‘Try it. Think of your owl’s feathers and wish to be warm and covered.’
‘I don’t think I can do that,’ Max said nervously. ‘But it’d be useful,’ he conceded. She simply stood watching and waiting for him to take the plunge and try it. Initially he converted into his owl completely then rose back into his human form. He didn’t seem to notice he’d lost his towel as he concentrated. Suddenly feathers began to shimmer into existence over his human form. Like her, he kept his head human.
‘Max, I know we’re appreciating your body, but you’ve missed a bit,’ Amelie told him quietly. Colour rushed to his face as he realised the one area men usually made certain was hidden was not feathered. The idea of growing feathers on his privates was weird indeed. Hastily he lengthened the feathers above and all around creating a skirt like fringe. Fortunately, because she’d been standing in front of him the rest of the class hadn’t seen much of his embarrassing oversight.
Amelie and Max worked with everyone until all had achieved a furry or feathered transformation. They all immediately understood the benefit of not having to be bare skin nude when they were either looking for clothes, or when they just needed hands to do something before returning to animal form. Each person to
ok a turn before a large mirror so they could check their nudity was sufficiently concealed. Many had grown such short belly fur that their bodies were still very obvious. The mirror was all the advice to amend themselves they needed.
‘Now we need never be cold in human form again,’ Amelie said cheerfully. ‘Just wish I’d thought of this before. Being naked in a snow storm isn’t much fun.’
There was a knock at the door and Jim poked his head round. ‘Ok for us to come in?’ he asked, his gaze caught by the astonishing sight of the part shifted class. Then he saw Amelie and his gaze drifting over her was obvious enough for some sniggers.
Drako, looking over his shoulder couldn’t help but come in to gape in astonishment, now understanding why Jim had hesitated. He noticed Amelie and was sure her soft black fur started growing longer and thicker, thwarting his gaze.
‘You’re animus Drako, aren’t you?’ Amelie asked. ‘Want to try this?’
‘Do I have to undress?’ Drako asked, wondering if he was being set up for ridicule.
‘No. It’s easier to feel it working when naked but you could just as easily see by taking off your jacket,’ Amelie told him.
Drako shrugged out of his long coat, loosened the laces on his leather shirt and drew it off over his head. Then he met her challenging eyes. He knew she was looking him over, noting his scars as well as his strength.
‘Think of your animal’s fur only. Desire to be warm and covered,’ she told him. He dropped his head, his eyes closing and his frame shimmered. Long black fur swept over him in a dense pelt. His hands turned into paws with huge curved talons. A moment later the talons disappeared again and he had furry fingers. ‘I’d say that worked,’ she told him cheerfully. ‘There’s a mirror there,’ she added and watched him stare at himself in amazement, just like everyone else had. ‘How about you, Gerald?’
Gerald had more difficulty, his magical ability was weaker, but eventually he figured it out. ‘Could have done with knowing about this earlier,’ he said ruefully.
Jim suddenly went still. ‘Someone’s just come through the People Gate,’ he announced. ‘I’ll just go look,’ he added and left the room.
Drako felt oddly free partially changed, his upper half not constricted by clothes. He prowled the room meeting the people, his gaze on their covering trying to guess what their animal was. He spotted a bold looking girl with thick grey and white fur. ‘You are a wolf?’ he asked.
‘Yes. I’m Kathy,’ she said calmly watching him.
By her side a young man with a different, shorter tan coat stood rather defensively. Louis had mentioned a female wolf and hound. This must be the pair. He nodded to them both and moved on. Judging by body language they and Amelie were the only ones paired up. He stopped by another girl with a rusty red coat. ‘What are you?’ he asked.
‘A deer,’ she said and noticed his disappointment. ‘Do you want to see?’ she added.
‘Certainly,’ Drako conceded politely. She crouched and became a large red deer. He glanced sideways that Gerald was suddenly by his shoulder and showing interest. Well, horse and deer had similar natures. He noticed that a blue pair of eyes, now housed in a panther, was watching him. Amelie the panther lay curled on top of a desk, reclined as only cats could, blending complete limp relaxation with attentive watchfulness. Why couldn’t she have been an ordinary animus and single?
Jim re-entered the room, with an out of breath man in muddy and torn clothes.
‘Tosker!’ Drako strode over to him.
‘Sir, I bring serious news,’ and Tosker glanced uncertainly at the strangers in earshot. Drako followed his gaze to the students and his lips tightened.
‘You can use my office,’ Jim said evenly and led them there. But he stayed on to listen and Drako didn’t ask him to leave.
19
Under Attack
‘My Lord, our camp has been found!’ Tosker said quickly. ‘Fortunately we had enough warning to get everyone clear before they arrived but they’re looking for us. Where can we go?’
Drako snarled, his bear raising its head in frustration. Hastily he returned fully to human form, realising even the fur affected his mind as though he was more bear than man. ‘Where are our people?’
‘Not far behind me. We have covered our trail but there aren’t too many wild places around here to disappear in or to remain hidden for long.’
Drako bit his lip; the peace and tranquillity of this place had made him forget for a couple of hours just how hunted they’d become.
‘Bring them here Drako,’ Jim offered suddenly. ‘If your people can come to our walls without leading enemies directly here, then they could simply disappear from sight until the heat is off.’
‘Are you sure?’ Drako asked, his sudden hope obvious.
‘Yes. I trust they’ll cover their trail adequately and you’ll keep them in line.’ They walked quickly back across the hall to the animus room. ‘I know what it’s like to be hunted, to not know who can be trusted and that any safe harbour is a welcome relief. Get your people in. Use the main gate. If they come to check us out I’d rather fresh tracks haven’t been gouged directly to our gate or across the field. Max, can you stand by the gate?’
‘Gerald, go with him to the main gate so they know where we are,’ Drako added and followed Jim and the panther out of the house and over to a very smart stable block.
Louis and Tosker quickly departed on fresh horses. Jim mounted his horse; Drako borrowed another and followed him up the track away from the front gate.
‘Where are we going?’ Drako asked.
‘Well I need to build a gate. As you’ve noticed, we never got down to that detail. I was going to suggest you have a look at our training ground to see if that could hide most of your camp kit. There are stalls for horses and buildings that’ll get people out of the rain and quickly out of sight. Of course I don’t know how many there are of you.’
‘Thank you, I’ll check it out,’ Drako responded and cantered quickly away. Jim and the panther trotted across the grass to the people gate instead. A feathered man walked into view from one of the towers at their approach: Max.
‘Terry said you’d need this,’ Max said and handed Jim the sketch of the towers and gate in particular that he’d forgotten to bring.
‘Thanks, was just remembering this,’ Jim said and examined the drawing, frowning in concentration. ‘I’m no carpenter,’ he admitted, knowing little of how one usually constructed something like an armoured gate. But, image now in mind, and materials at hand, he took Amelie’s hand and the planks and assorted scraps of wood shimmered and transformed into a thick and smooth door. He added sturdy hinges and metal bands to reinforce it and attached it securely to the wall. Three big heavy bars slotted into place horizontally to lock it. Jim stood back and eyed it from both sides. ‘Not the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen but it should be strong.’
‘That was quick,’ Max commented. ‘Your helpers haven’t even had a chance to get here,’ he added seeing students walking quickly towards them. ‘Are you thinking of adding something else?’ Max added, noticing Jim eye the students then the sketches again.
‘Would you mind asking if Drako would join us? I sent him to the training ground but there’s not much to see there and he’s probably seen enough.’ Max immediately changed and flew off.
‘Oh, you did the gate already,’ one of the students said in disappointment. ‘How are any visitors to alert us they’re here?’
‘That’s a thought. Go ahead and craft a knocker or bell for it,’ Jim suggested simply, not having thought of that aspect. The spell he’d woven would alert him if someone came through, but would not if they waited outside to be invited. He felt an animus presence and turned to wave Drako through the crowd.
Drako jumped off the horse and joined him, noticing the gate had already been built and fortified. ‘No moss on you is there,’ he grinned and followed Jim through the gate to the outside. Jim showed him the sketch.
‘This is t
he plan we were working to. But I thought you might give us the benefit of your experience. Do you see any weaknesses in our design? Should we dig a moat, or not bother?’
Drako was surprised and pleased Jim trusted his opinion on this, a key defence and one his father had breached only a few months ago. ‘A wall on its own isn’t going to stop an attack, especially if it’s a relatively small wall like this. Someone could go straight up to it and bash a hole or just climb over. War making kit is usually heavy and the land surrounding water tends to be wet and boggy. A moat does make it more of a challenge. But this is a school. Won’t it be alerting people you have a reason to be defensive? Or that you have something to hide?’
‘Perhaps a natural looking river, rather than a moat would be better?’ Amelie suggested. ‘So it looks like you’ve just planned to make use of a natural feature?’
‘I’m certain you can ensure that result,’ Jim said warmly to her. ‘But it’ll need to be linked to an actual river or stream and looped so the water has somewhere to go. Can you fly along the wall; find out what’s going to look natural. There may also be some other natural hazards we could incorporate.’
The panther shimmered and a big golden eagle took her place. She sprang into the air and her wings launched her rapidly skywards. Jim was aware everyone was open mouthed and staring at her astonishing feat. Cat and bird had completely different physiology and to change from one to the other was a real challenge.
‘Class, who was it that drew these sketches?’ A young man timidly stepped forward. ‘We’re planning the moat stage of our construction, Jasper. Obviously we will need a bridge and there is one shown here but it’s not been drawn in enough detail to craft a spell. Did you draw this too?’
‘Yes sir. But I thought we would have time to plan something nice. This was just a quick idea.’
‘Well, no time like the present,’ Jim told him with a small grin. ‘Right, the water will be about here I should say.’ Jim told him briskly, walking down into a dip. Abruptly he felt an animus presence approaching from the forest. ‘Someone’s coming,’ he hissed urgently and drew Jasper with him back through the gate.
Amelie: Wizards of White Haven Page 30
