The Uzan Crystal

by Lisa S. Buchholz

  Danesa said that the first five bedrooms were theirs for them to share as they wished. The last bedroom was their eldest daughter's. Each room contained a narrow bed on the left; a wash stand with basin and pitcher directly in front of them; a small writing table and chair on the right; and beside the table was a built in clothes cupboard with two doors and extra hooks lining the rest of that wall.

  "I'm quite impressed with your accommodations," Angelina told Danesa. "This is one of the most wonderfully set up houses that I've been in."

  "Thank you," she replied. Danesa was quite pleased.

  The two women took the room next to the eldest daughter. The men took the other four rooms. Danesa apologized for not having enough beds but the men assured her that they were used to sleeping on the ground or floor and it would not bother them in the slightest. They appreciated that they had a roof over their heads.

  The group stayed at the farm for a few days to rest and recoup. When they were ready to leave, Yarral told them that he would travel with them.

  "I have a good idea of where Madina is," Yarral said as they were eating dinner that evening. "There is a section of land that most people avoid, largely due to tall tales and rumors but it would be worth checking out. And if it isn't what you're looking for, at least it will be one less place that you have to look."

  "From what Yarral has told me," explained Pendrake, "the section of land is a very large area. I've talked with a few of the other men and we've decided that it would be best to stop at various farms and homes along the way to try to get whatever information we can without raising suspicion."

  The rest of the group agreed since no one else had anything to offer in the way of a plan.

  Early the next day they set out. The children were sad to see Kimber go. Kimber, this time wearing a pale gold outfit, flew to each one of the children just long enough to whisper something in their ear, which made each of the children smile. Then she flew over to Corbin's horse and sat down on its head, right between the ears.

  Angelina did ask Kimber what she was up to with the children, but Kimber slyly smiled at her. Angelina was thinking that Kimber probably told them stories. Lord knows that some evenings Angelina was ready to gag her because she talked unceasingly until bed time. She hadn't been as talkative at first but once she felt comfortable with the group, she wouldn't keep quiet. Angelina bit her lip and kept quiet. From what Kimber had told them, she had been alone with Zeek for a long time. If it made her happy to talk, then Angelina wasn't going to say anything.

  Chapter 41

  The Location Revealed

  They said their farewells and continued on. They began stopping at the farms along the way, acting as if it were the first place they had stopped in many days. Each land owner was more than happy to allow them to join them for a meal, especially since they realized that Angelina was royalty. Having Princess Angelina and Lady Elise dressed up in their fine clothes helped immensely. They did their best to get whatever information they could and then they thanked the owners for the meal. Angelina made sure to give them plenty of gold coins when they left. Most of the time the owners would refuse payment, but Angelina made sure that a small bag of coins was left behind.

  It was well into two weeks of traveling and Angelina was becoming frustrated because twice they had backtracked due to faulty information that they received and still there was no progress .

  It wasn't until later that same evening that their luck took a turn for the better. They came upon another farm and decided to wait until morning before approaching the owners. They ate a cold meal and turned in early.

  It was the next morning when yet again Angelina, Lady Elise, Sir Taz, Pendrake and Lord Farley approached the house. They decided on taking only a few members of the group so they wouldn't seem threatening.

  At this house the woman that answered the door looked haggard as if she hadn't enough sleep or proper meals. She was very suspicious of the group.

  Angelina immediately took control of the situation. "We're sorry to have bothered you but we wanted to know if we could share a meal with you. We have supplies," she explained. "It's that Lady Elise and I are tired of eating by the campfire and were hoping that we could share a meal in more civilized surroundings. Besides," she informed the women, "my servants would be more than happy to help out around the farm in repayment of your hospitality."

  The woman's eyes narrowed as she sized up the group. She could tell immediately that they weren't the types who were used to tilling the fields and taking care of livestock, but she was in desperate need of help and if all they asked in return was a meal then it was a small price to pay.

  "My name is Marlaina," she said as she moved aside so that they could enter her home.

  Again Angelina was amazed at the size of the rooms and the large windows. Even though Marlaina looked weary, her house was as neat as a pin.

  "Please have a seat," she invited as she pulled a pot off of the stove and filled cups with warmed cider and handed one to each of her guests.

  "Thank you," Lord Farley said. "Please tell us what needs to be done and we will gladly get right to it."

  Marlaina explained that she raised horses and her fence had been damaged in a storm some time back and she wasn't able to fix it properly. She told them where the posts could be found and explained the approximate location of the damaged fence. "Does anyone know how to trim hooves and shoe horses?" she asked.

  "I can ma'am," Pendrake replied.

  Sir Taz and Lord Farley headed out to load the posts into a wagon and fix the fence and Pendrake headed out to the barn.

  "Thank you very much for allowing us to come in and rest," began Angelina, "it's been a long and weary road and it's nice to enjoy the luxury of a roof over ones head." She hesitated but decided that if they were to help out around the farm it would be better if everyone in the group helped out. "I have a few other companions that would be willing to help out. I had them stay a short distance behind because I didn't want you to feel threatened by the presence of so many rough looking men. They would be more than happy to help out also if it's alright with you."

  Marlaina sighed. She walked over to the window facing the fields of hay as if lost in thought. Her reply sounded almost as if she were giving in, "Yes, please have them come. There is much work to do and since my husband went away I haven't been able to keep up with it." She turned back to the two women, "I really have to finish getting the hay dried, so if you'll excuse me." She turned to head out of the back door.

  "Would you like Elise and me to help?" she offered.

  "You two are not dressed for it and I'm sure it would take me longer to show you then it would be for me just to do it."

  "We will change and come out and help you," insisted Elise.

  The women noticed the look Marlaina gave them and a smile that pulled at her mouth. She must think that they were pampered women and never lifted a finger to help themselves. But if helping Marlaina would get them any bit of information, they would do whatever it took. Marlaina went out the door and headed out into the field.

  Angelina and Elise went back out front and grabbed their packs off of the horses.

  Elise motioned Sir Taz over to her. "Go ahead and get the rest of the group. It looks as if Marlaina's husband is no longer around and I'm sure taking care of this farm is more than she can handle alone."

  He nodded and getting on his horse, rode in the direction that they had come. The rest of the group was only a few minutes away and would be there in no time.

  The girls went inside and quickly changed into tunics, leggings and sturdy boots. They brought in the rest of their supplies, the dried meat, meal, oats and honey and the remainder of the cheese and bread.

  They headed out the back door. Marlaina was already tossing the cut hay over the wooden tee-pee structures set about in the field when the girls arrived.

  They each picked up a pitchfork that Marlaina had readied for them and went to work. Angelina glanced out of the cor
ner of her eye and caught Marlaina's stare. She gave a look to Angelina to let her know that she was surprised to see the women working. Angelina smiled at her and both women went back to work. As they finished layering the hay over one structure they went to the next and continued on. Each of the women took turns getting water for themselves and the men. They all continued to work until it was well into the evening. The men had finished fixing the fence and were helping Pendrake shoe the horses. Marlaina stopped the girls as the sun began to sink and asked them if they would get the fire stoked back up in the house while she finished her stack. Angelina began stoking the fire and Elise was bringing in wood and stacking it in the corner. They thought they heard Marlaina speaking to someone outside but figured it was to one of the men.

  Marlaina came in and showed the women to one of the bedrooms and told them that there was a well out back that they could pump water from to get cleaned up and change and then help her with dinner.

  As the women gathered the water and washed they could smell the beginnings of a meal cooking. Angelina had mixed up a large batch of bread dough when she was on her water trip and later, Elise had kneaded it and shaped it into loaves so it would be ready to bake for dinner. They could smell it baking.

  The women came out into the kitchen and began to help. Sir Matthew came in and handed Marlaina a large turkey that he had just shot with his bow and arrow. He had already plucked and cleaned it and all she had to do was spit it.

  Marlaina was very excited about the turkey. She rubbed some herbs on it, inside and out and made a stuffing with apples, bread and a few eggs from her chickens. She had pulled the spit out of the fire so it would be cool enough to handle. She stuffed the turkey, tied the legs together with water soaked twine and put it on the spit, which she then placed back over the fire.

  Angelina's mouth was watering from the delicious smells. They cut carrots and onions and put them in a pot to simmer. Elise added a few spices and herbs for extra flavor.

  By the time the men had finished up with the horses, came in and got cleaned up, it was well into the evening and time to eat. Kimber had been disappointed that there weren't any children around so she had hung out with Zeek in the nearby woods. She came in the house for dinner.

  Marlaina had taken a break after she got the turkey cooking and changed and cleaned up herself. When she came back to the dining area, she was surprised to see Kimber. She pulled out a small saucer from the cupboard and set it on the table. Then she went into the sitting room and returned with a small doll sized table and chair. She put the table and chair on the end of the table where Angelina and Elise were sitting and then put the small platter on top of the table. Kimber was very impressed and thanked Marlaina.

  Once everyone was seated at the table the bread and cheese was passed around. The stew of carrots and onions was handed out and then Marlaina cut the turkey and pulled out the stuffing. Everyone had large helpings of both. As things were being passed around and Angelina and Elise were serving the ale, there was a scratching on the back door. Marlaina excused herself and opened the door to allow a large gray wolf to enter. Everyone had stopped what they were doing to look. Kimber continued eating as if nothing bothered her. She didn't even look up at the wolf.

  Elise looked at the wolf and then at Marlaina, catching her eye. Marlaina looked away. Elise knew that the wolf was either magical or had some magical spell on it. She would have to ask Marlaina about it at the appropriate time.

  The wolf padded over to a bed that was on the floor and sat down. He was keeping watch. Marlaina took a large plate and piled it with generous helpings of everything and took it to the wolf. She placed it on the ground in front of him.

  Everyone went back to their meal.

  "May I have some ale?"

  Elise picked up the pitcher and handed it to Sir Matthew, who was seated next to her. "Here you go," she said as she set it down on the table in front of him.

  "Thank you," he replied, "but I didn't ask for the ale."

  "Oh," responded Elise, "I heard someone ask for it and I assumed it was you." She then asked the people sitting nearest her and they all said they had plenty. Elise shrugged and turned back to her meal. She glanced at Kimber when she heard her giggling.

  "May I have more turkey please?"

  Elise turned toward Sir Matthew, "It's right there on the table," she said as she pointed to the platter of turkey.

  "I didn't ask for the turkey," replied Sir Matthew, now looking at Elise as if she had too much ale to drink.

  "Stuffing would be nice too."

  This time when Elise heard the voice, she was looking directly at Sir Matthew and his mouth didn't move at all. "Oh sorry," she replied to Sir Matthew before quickly turning her gaze directly in front of her and at Angelina. She looked at Kimber and Kimber was holding her stomach giggling. "What's so funny, Kimber?" asked Elise in irritation.

  "Oh nothing," Kimber replied looking as innocent as she could. "Nothing at all, I was just thinking of something funny."

  "A little more ale, thank you."

  Angelina noticed the startled look Elise was giving her. "What is it?" Angelina asked in a low voice as she glanced around to see if anything looked out of the ordinary. All the men were eating and in conversation. Marlaina was at the far end of the table near the wolf and she was listening to Corbin.

  "It's strange," began Elise keeping her voice low, "but four times I've heard this voice and at first I thought it was Sir Matthew but one of the times that I heard it, he wasn't talking and I looked around and I don't think it was from any of us."

  "What do you mean?" questioned Angelina. "If it wasn't one of us, who was it then?"

  Elise glanced around and her eyes darted to the wolf who was eating his meal. "I think," she began as her eyes still studied the wolf, "that it was the wolf."

  Angelina looked at her a little strangely and then shook her head slightly as if to clear it. "Well, why not?" she began. "After all, you've been working with Airic on various spells and such and if you have a magical presence about you then maybe you can hear the thoughts of animals."

  "I think I'm going to have to have a talk with Marlaina after dinner," stated Elise as she put her full attention on her meal.

  Elise waited until after the meal was finished, coffee was served and the dishes were clean before she decided to ask Marlaina about the wolf.

  The wolf had finished eating and had laid down. He was keeping his eyes on the strangers.

  "Marlaina," Elise prompted, "what type of spell is the wolf under?"

  "What?!" she gasped at the question and nearly dropped an armful of plates. She was shocked at the question and quickly tried to regain her composure. "I'm not sure what you mean."

  "I can tell certain types of magic and there is definitely magic surrounding the wolf," explained Elise. "And besides that, I'm pretty sure I heard or mind read him asking for second helpings at dinner tonight."

  Marlaina looked at the wolf and sighed. She asked Elise, "Are you some type of sorceress?"

  Elise laughed at that. "No, nothing that drastic. I know about magic and can do some but I'm far from being a sorceress. I'm only starting to learn the art."

  Angelina had been cleaning up but was trying to keep an ear to the conversation. The men had all retired to the large sitting room and were either finishing their ale or smoking and relaxing. Kimber had asked that Angelina put her table and chair up on the counter so she could relax with them in the kitchen.

  "Well ladies," Marlaina said as she included both Elise and Angelina in her conversation. "I'd like you to meet my husband, Raffial."

  Elise gasped and Angelina was shocked by the news.

  "Please sit and I'll explain," she offered as the women took a seat at the table. "Raffial was changed into a wolf by an evil sorceress named Madina because..."

  "What did you say!?" Angelina gasped out loud as she jumped to her feet and put her hand over her chest as to keep her heart from leaping out, her words interrupt
ing Marlaina.

  Raffial had heard the urgency in her voice and was instantly beside Marlaina. He growled in warning.

  The men heard the commotion and came running out.

  Raffial began to growl louder.

  "I'm sorry," Angelina hurriedly apologized. "It's that we've been in search of this evil sorceress for over seven months now and haven't had any luck in finding anyone who knows her whereabouts or even knows her. I was startled by what you said." She turned her eyes on Raffial, "I am sorry for upsetting you. I didn't mean to startle anyone like that."

  Raffial quieted down and took a seat beside Marlaina.

  The men were looking at her in question. "I think we've found what we've been looking for," she said almost breathless. "Please sit down and Marlaina can continue her story."