Sorcery, Schemes and Skelt: The Kinowenn Chronicles Vol II

by Rachel Ronning

  “Oh good,” he said with a relieved smile, “You’re awake.”

  “How long have I been asleep?”

  “Two days. You must be starving. I brought you bread, cheese, and kalliberries.”

  “Thank you,” said Lucy. No meat, thank goodness. She sat up in bed and took the plate of food. The kalliberries were ripe, sweet, and juicy. It was odd eating a fruit that was meant to be eaten green. “Is Gavin all right?”

  “Gavin is fine. He’s downstairs in the dining hall consuming an entire wild boar. All he suffered were bumps and bruises thanks to you. You’re the hero of this whole affair, you know.”

  Lucy shook her head and stopped eating. “No, I’m not a hero. I didn’t do anything heroic. You healed people and saved them. That is heroic. All I did was kill people. I killed lots and lots of people. I’m a killer, not a hero.”

  “You can’t look at it like that,” said Justin shaking his head. “Your actions saved countless people on the side we were fighting for. Your pebbles minimized casualties. Your use of battle magic stopped the combat in one day. Normally, this battle would have gone on for a week at least, resulting in thousands of deaths. Not to mention the ones that would have perished from injuries and infection.”

  “How is Joss?” asked Lucy, trying to change the subject. If they were ever involved in a battle again, she was going to be in that healer tent. She would not be the one causing destruction. She would not be the one killing. Better yet, she would disappear and avoid the battle at all costs. Could she do that though? If the cost was Gavin? Justin? Being a healer then, was the better option.

  “Joss is fine, physically. I’m not sure how he is coping mentally or emotionally. Three of his brothers didn’t make it. One was leading the right flank when the Giants attacked. There is a lot I can heal, but I cannot heal the dead. No one can. You need to eat.”

  Lucy nodded and looked down at her plate. Her body needed food. She could feel it. She felt weak and shaky from using that much magic and then sleeping for two days. She took a bite of bread. It was dry in her mouth. Justin handed her a glass of water. She drank it gratefully.

  “Thank you for not bringing any meat.”

  Justin nodded. When they were done in the healing tent, Justin had talked to Carr. Carr had told him about the fireballs and the vomiting. He was pretty sure meat of any kind was off of Lucy’s menu for a while.

  “How’s Maya?” Lucy wanted to keep talking, but she was having a hard time finding something she wanted to talk about.

  “She’s fine too. She was amazing at healing people. She used her potions and kept track of everything going on. She’s a very organized person. She healed some of the simpler injuries and directed me to everything else. She made sure healed people were moved to another tent to make room for those needing more attention. She checked on the men periodically to make sure they were stable. She even sang magic healing songs to reduce pain.

  By the end of the day we were both tired. We were using the anti-infection potion and bandages more and magical healing less. It bought us time. We were able to eat, sleep, and then continue healing them the next day. All the soldiers were really grateful. Many of them would have died from the injury in the first place or an infection later. That anti-infection potion was a really good idea of Maya’s.”

  “I’m glad things went well.”

  By this point, Lucy had finished her food and was also out of things to talk about.

  “How do you feel?” asked Justin, concerned. “Do you want to take a walk? Do you want a bath? I had Maya sponge you off when she put on your pajamas and tucked you in. I hope that’s okay. I didn’t think that sleeping in those clothes was the best idea. I hoped being cleaner and sleeping in fresh clothes would help you sleep longer. Your body needed sleep.”

  “I agree. Thank you. You have my permission to do similar things in the future if I’m unconscious. I would like to take a walk, I think.”

  Lucy drew back the covers and stood up. Her legs wobbled a little.

  “A short walk,” they both said at the same time and laughed.

  There was a small table against the wall. Clean clothes were folded on it. Justin politely stared out the window while she dressed. The clean tunic and leggings felt good. She slipped on soft leather boots and joined Justin at the window. Below her sprawled a castle. It had obviously had wings and additions added over time. Varieties of stones were used and different styles were evident. There were multiple walls. Each one added on at a different time as the population grew and the need for protection remained. Despite the recent battle, the people below her bustled about their business. She couldn’t tell what kind of shops were there, but it looked promising to explore later. She saw empty carts being led out of the gates. She supposed they had been filled with produce this morning. After selling it all, the farmers were heading back home to load up once again for the next day. Her room looked inward at a courtyard. It was filled with apple trees. She took Justin’s arm and they walked out the door. Justin kissed her cheek and she smiled back at him.

  “Would you like to stay inside or go out?” asked Justin.

  “Where are we likely to meet fewer people?”

  “There is an herb garden near the kitchens,” Justin suggested. Lucy nodded in agreement.

  They didn’t meet anyone as they made their way through the halls. Most people were in the dining hall or serving the people in it. The herb garden was off the kitchens. In the kitchens, people were bustling everywhere. As long as they didn’t get in the way, no one paid them any attention. Justin led Lucy to a bench near the lavender, an herb with gentle, healing smells. By this time, she was tired and sat down without argument.

  Lucy briefly surveyed her surroundings. Lucy noticed fruit trees and vines filled with ripe, plump berries. There were many common herbs such as parsley, sage, chives, rosemary, thyme, cornflower, basil, dittany, and honeysuckle. There were plenty of sweet smelling flowers including roses, lilies, violets, clover, and poppies. She also noticed a small pond in the center. She watched as a fish leapt out of the water and ate a dragonfly. She assumed this was where the kitchen boys gathered fish for the cook. Taking a deep, flower scented, breath, Lucy closed her eyes and sighed, relaxing for a moment.

  “When can we leave?” asked Lucy.

  “I don’t think you are up to a full day’s travel yet,” said Justin.

  “I know, but we could take it slow and we’ll be on horseback part of the way. I’m partially wondering what our status is around here. We were told to fight or visit a dungeon. Are we free to go at will?”

  “I think so. I’m sure King Temarr would prefer we stay. I think he would permanently hire us. You interested?”

  “Absolutely not,” replied Lucy.

  “This is the kind of opportunity some students look for,” said Justin.

  “Perhaps,” agreed Lucy, “But we have a quest. Also, if I am going to settle somewhere, I feel like I should see more first. I haven’t seen most of Kinowenn. I’m not sure I want to get involved in the ongoing skirmishes of Lerramorre. If I settle somewhere, I think I would want somewhere less male dominated. I haven’t seen a woman in charge of anything here yet, except perhaps the kitchens. I didn’t see any female soldiers. What would I talk to the women here about? How would either sex react to me sparring? Maybe if I were older it would seem more appealing, or if I wanted a permanent home. Right now, I don’t want to be at the command of a king.”

  “I’m sure we can retire here if we choose,” Justin smiled. “Also, mages are allowed more freedoms than the average person. Idiosyncrasies like wanting to spar would be laughed off as acceptable oddities. They’ll shrug their shoulders and smile when you refuse to wear dresses because you brought rain to their crops or healed their cow.”

  “You certainly are welcome to stay as long as you like, whenever you like,” said Joss, appearing at the kitchen door. “I thought I might find you here.” He turned towards Lucy, “Thank you for everything you d
id. You saved us, won the day for us, and of course my father would like to keep you.”

  “Thank you, but I don’t like the idea of being someone’s pet,” replied Lucy.

  Joss smiled, “I’m sure your cheek would fit in well around here.”

  “Will you be leaving with us?” asked Justin.

  Joss sighed, “I’d like to. I prefer travel to court life as well. I think my father will let me go but losing three of my brothers has been hard on him. He may decide that the closer I get to the throne hypothetically, the closer I should stay physically. He thinks I need to learn some responsibility. Or, barring that, some court manners and diplomacy.”

  “Sounds terrible,” said Lucy consolingly. “We’d much rather have you with us.”

  “My father knows this, which is why he will probably ask you to stay. Keeping you here to amuse me will hopefully keep me here,” Joss smiled.

  “Is that like getting your favorite dog a new chew toy?” asked Lucy.

  “Exactly,” replied Joss. This time, he didn’t smile.

  “Would it be terrible manners to sneak out tomorrow morning? If we leave before he asks us to stay we don’t have to feel rude when we turn him down,” asked Justin.

  “Absolutely terrible,” replied Joss smiling. “I can have everything ready to go at dawn.”

  “Will it get you into trouble?” asked Lucy.

  “Assuredly,” said Joss. “That’s why I’ll be going with you. Hopefully, one day, my father will be convinced I’m a lost cause and leave me alone.”

  “What about the funerals for your brothers?” asked Lucy.

  Joss’s face hardened, “Some people need funerals to cope and some people cope better without funerals. My father will be furious, but state funerals are not my kind of function. Besides, my brothers would have understood.”

  “Doesn’t Neville’s wife owe you a pie?” asked Lucy with a smile, trying to lighten the mood again. She didn’t like seeing Joss’s face harden like that. It was so cold.

  “Lilla delivered it yesterday, so I’m safe,” laughed Joss.

  “It was delicious,” added Justin.

  “I’ll get the news to Maya,” said Justin. “She’s been checking on people in the infirmary and trying to help any civilian that shows up. You’d be surprised how many people here are living with minor injuries or infections that can be simply cured. Can you tell Gavin? He’s probably still in the dining hall, eating.”

  Joss nodded. Justin escorted Lucy back to her room first. If they were leaving tomorrow, she needed her rest. Lucy was sure King Temarr would be furious with them. However, it would be better to get out sooner rather than later. It would be easier to sneak through the land they had just beaten rather than waiting for things to heat up again. Getting embroiled in politics here would only lead to weeks of delays.

  Chapter 14

  Lucy was exhausted and fell asleep quickly, but slept poorly. Her dreams didn’t take on any substance, but they were filled with fire, fear, and self-loathing. She was glad when Justin snuck into her room to wake her up. They walked quietly through the hallways and reached the stables without meeting anyone. Joss, Gavin, and Maya were already there. The horses were saddled and loaded with supplies. They mounted up and followed Joss out of the stables to the gate. Lucy was worried the guards at the gate would not let them through, but Joss did some fast talking she couldn’t hear and they were on their way. Joss led them straight to the woods to the west. From there they could travel north in relative obscurity and avoid the battlefield as well. They didn’t talk much that morning. They wanted to get as far away as possible as quickly and quietly as possible. Joss wasn’t sure if his father would pursue them or not.

  They stopped mid-morning to stretch and have a quick bite to eat. Lucy was glad of the break. She had not entirely recovered from her ordeal of the last few days. She understood the need to travel fast, but she was definitely tired, sore, and emotionally overwhelmed. They stopped again for a longer break at lunch. The horses needed to rest too. Lucy concentrated on stretching out sore muscles.

  “Can you tell if anyone is following us?” Joss asked Justin.

  Justin sat quietly with his eyes closed.

  “I don’t sense anyone following us, but there are people out there. I know people are still working on the battlefield. There are probably other groups running patrol. I don’t think any of them are after us, but I’ll feel better once we are away from the whole area and unlikely to run into anyone involved,” said Justin.

  “If anyone who recognizes us finds us, we can always have Lucy wiggle her fingers at them,” suggested Gavin laughing. “That should make them keep their distance.” He laughed again until he realized no one was laughing with him. He looked at Lucy’s horrified face and mumbled, “Sorry.”

  Gavin had killed many people in battle. King Temarr had offered him a position leading a specialized force with his army any time Gavin wanted to stay. Even though he did not want the position now, it didn’t hurt to keep his options open. He had spent the last few days with the army getting to know the men. He liked them. They all thought of Lucy as a formidable battle mage and hero. The men talked proudly about the things their mage had done. It hadn’t occurred to him that Lucy might not feel the same way. He had talked to many men who had been on the front line. They had seen opposing soldiers freeze in front of them right before almost being run through themselves. He had shattered uncountable numbers himself. They had seen the Giants burst into flames and die rather than cause more death and destruction. The soldiers thought of Lucy as the best weapon they had ever had.

  It didn’t occur to Gavin to talk to Carr. It didn’t occur to him to find out how her side of the battle went. He took a closer look at her. Perhaps she was more bothered by the battle than he thought. He hadn’t enjoyed killing, but he did like winning. He liked the adrenaline rush, the challenge, the power, and surviving. He wasn’t about to go slaughter peasants, but he had come to peace with the idea of killing men in battle. Perhaps she had not.

  The others finished eating and mounted up. Anyone they encountered in this area was likely to be frightened and suspicious. They rode until sunset and set up camp. They did not want to risk an inn. Joss set up the tent. Gavin and Lucy took care of unloading and rubbing down the horses. Maya started on dinner. Justin set up wards all around their camp. They would not be caught unawares again. Despite the wards, dinner was a quiet affair. Lucy wasn’t the only one tired. Justin and Maya had worked heroically healing people. Joss and Gavin had fought hard, facing dehydration and physical exhaustion as well as foes. Everyone went to bed early. Everyone’s body ached. No one slept well.

  The next morning dawned clear and bright. The weather looked beautiful and everyone’s spirits lifted. Joss and Maya were back to some bantering. Lucy didn’t feel like talking, but she was glad someone did.

  “Lerramorre wasn’t a bad place to be,” stated Maya. It seemed like a safe place to start a conversation.

  “I thought you’d like it,” replied Joss. “You’re welcome to stay there anytime you like.”

  “Yes, your father told me as much. He’s willing to hire me as a diplomat, potions master, and generally give me free rein to do what I want,” said Maya with a grin.

  “Whatever you want as long as it is within his interest,” amended Joss.

  “I could adjust to living like that,” said Maya with a shrug. “There are worse people’s interests to serve. Besides, I haven’t tried the full effect of flashing my dimples at him to get my way.”

  “You’ll have to tell me how that goes,” laughed Joss. He did like her dimples. “Perhaps you would enjoy yourself more as a princess,” suggested Joss with a sidelong glance in her direction.

  “Hmmm,” Maya pretended to ponder this. “I doubt it. Besides, I wasn’t that interested in any of your brothers.”

  “That hurt,” claimed Joss with mock pain. “Consider the joy your beauty and irresistible dimples could bring to the kingdom as my
wife.”

  “My beauty would be the same with a respectable position as a diplomat.”

  “You’d have more freedom as a princess.”

  “Yes, the freedom to sneak out of the palace at dawn is every girl’s dream.”

  Lucy laughed as she listened to them banter back and forth. It lightened the mood of the trip and made her forget about other things for a while. Joss couldn’t argue with the fact that he was only partially free. So, he switched tactics.

  “How about you, Gavin?” Joss asked.

  “Oh, I’d make a terrible princess,” replied Gavin straight faced. “I’d never get the hang of those pointy hats.”

  Everyone laughed.

  “If you’d like a place to settle down permanently, I could get you a position as a trainer or a general. Anyone who saw you fight would support your promotion,” suggested Joss.

  “Your father already offered me one,” replied Gavin with a grin.

  “Are you trying to steal away my carefully selected group of people?” teased Justin.

  “I’m doing my best. I’m guessing recruiting you or Lucy is a waste of my time, but you are welcome to visit anytime,” invited Joss.

  “I didn’t know you were thinking about staying. Sneaking out at dawn probably didn’t help your relationship with your father.”

  “True, but it might be worth settling down with the right company,” Joss smiled winningly at Maya who ignored him.

  “On a side note, how long should we camp out before we can try an inn?” asked Lucy.

  “Tired of camping already?” asked Joss.

  “Merely curious,” replied Lucy although her legs were aching and the thought of a decent bed over the ground sounded appealing.