The Master and the Sorceress

by Bernadette Rowley

  Chapter 2

  James’s cheek still throbbed with the sting of Lady Katrine’s hand as he passed the outer wall of the small town of Costa—his home. He had left the road and taken a longer route soon after the altercation with Katrine, having no desire to exchange any more words nor receive more clouts from her. She packed a wallop, but, now he had cooled down, James regretted his angry words. It was unfair of him to tar the feisty young woman with the same brush as her sister. If he ever saw her again, he would apologize. However, he would not apologize for defending his friend.

  He sighed. It would be good to get home and enjoy the luxury of familiar surrounds and food. He hated being on the road, not knowing what was around the next corner or whom. He grimaced as he recalled Katrine and the effect she had on him. She was the opposite of everything he normally found attractive in a woman. She didn’t even wear skirts! However, there was something about her wild ways and striking eyes that would make it difficult to forget her. And now he knew she was related to the woman who had hurt Reid, there was even less chance he could stop thinking about her.

  James pulled up at his mansion. His manager came around from the stables to take the pony and rig away.

  “I trust you had a good trip, Master Tomel?”

  “Not bad, Micc,” James said, “but I’m glad to be home.”

  “Mistress Lary has supper prepared. We hoped you might return today.”

  “Any news?”

  Micc stopped and turned back. “Damned dark elves are causing trouble again to the west. Not many but enough to be a nuisance. I’ve increased patrols of your properties and the town watch has beefed up its numbers—not sure where they got the coin for it. They’ve no money for anything else in Costa.” He stalked away, grumbling to himself, and disappeared around the corner of the mansion.

  James hefted his bag and sword and entered the house to be greeted by Mistress Lary, his house keeper. She was a woman in her middle years and married to one of the town guards; hence, she returned to her own home in the evenings. James was glad to have the place to himself at night especially with the hours he kept when working on a project.

  Pushing all thoughts of women from his mind, James entered his room to find his maid, Eva, her belly round with child, in the process of lugging in hot water for his bath.

  “I’ve told you, Eva,” James said, taking the pail from her and pouring it into the tub, “this work is too heavy for you. Get someone to help.”

  “It’s lighter and safer than my job at the inn.” She smiled and took the empty pail from him, then turned and left.

  James stripped off his dusty clothes, mulling over the changes needed once Eva had her child. She could no longer live in the tack room which had been hastily cleared out to provide a home for her. Once the baby came, Eva would need a room in the house. James sighed as he imaged the changes a newborn would bring.

  Naked, he stepped into the tub which was only half full of hot water. Before he had a moment to himself, Dant, the strapping young stable hand and general help, carried in two more pails of hot water and added them to the tub.

  “I see Eva managed to find someone to help with the bath,” James said. “I would consider it a favor if you could assist with any of her heavier chores, Dant.”

  “Right you are, Master.” Dant grinned. “You did a good deed bringing Eva here.”

  “I couldn’t leave her there.” James lathered his arms as he remembered the day he walked into his local and saw one of the serving girls was pregnant. He had taken Eva with him and found a new inn to patronize. It still shocked him to learn the innkeeper had been running a brothel on the side and that his girls worked on their backs as well as their feet. Eva was only eighteen summers old! “Only I didn’t realize she had no parents.”

  “Got more than you bargained for that day, Master,” Dant said, his lazy grin lighting his odd colored eyes—one blue and the other green.

  James smiled. “It has all worked out for the best, but I need you to watch out for her, make sure she looks after herself and the babe. I’ll make enquiries about a midwife next week.”

  “Right you are, Master.” Dant bobbed his head as he left James to his bath.

  He was lucky in so many ways. His staff were loyal even if he had the knack of bringing home strays. All of them had a tale of woe to tell which led them to him. Perhaps it was why they were so loyal—he had given them work or shelter when they fell on hard times. James had known privilege as a youngster and he was driven to pay forward his good fortune to the people who worked for him. In return, all he wanted was a quiet life of order and peace.

  James mused on his desire for order in his life. His parents had mapped out his existence from the moment he was born. They had been sure he would willingly inherit the family farm and raise sheep and beef cattle. James wanted nothing of the sort. Every trip to the King’s seat at Wildecoast exposed him to the jewelry worn by members of the court. He had longed to make pieces the aristocracy could pass down to their heirs. Perhaps it was a strange life for a farmer boy but he was happy working with his gold, silver and gemstones. And Mother and Father had six other sons to work the farm.

  The chaotic life on the farm was another reason for James’s love of order. Seven sons born within ten years meant his six younger siblings had tried to best him at everything from riding to fighting to wrestling steers. Whenever he obtained anything of value, it was more than likely to disappear, only to end up in a younger brother’s possession. Nothing was his and everything was shared including his bedroom until he left at age seventeen. It was then his life really started—when he was apprenticed to a master jeweler.

  Master Anza had been a breath of fresh air. He welcomed James into his home and business, giving him a room of his own and tools to work with. In many ways, James was the son Anza never had. His four-year apprenticeship was completed in two, but James had stayed on, perfecting his craft and stunning his teacher with the brilliance of his designs. He could have remained with the older man, but, at the end of four years, he was eager to branch out on his own.

  James had a hankering to move south and he chose the small seaside town of Costa. The commissions earned by making pieces for several of the Wildecoast ladies enabled him to purchase a small mansion in Costa, and his wealth and fame grew. He had even designed an unusual chain mail choker for Queen Adriana and, since then, had been too busy to accept all the requests made by eager nobility. Perhaps it was time to enlist the help of an apprentice? Each time James had this thought, he shuddered at the idea of someone disturbing the tranquility of his workplace.

  And speaking of tranquility, it was luxury to be in his own room, relaxing in his bath. The difficulties of his trip home faded as James lay back in the perfectly warm water and smiled.

  Katrine had been greeted with warmth by Samael’s parents, which was a balm to her jangled nerves. She couldn’t shake the shame and anger James’s words caused. Harah and Claus drew her in and she was soon ensconced by the fire with a blanket and a mug of tea. They rarely looked her in the eyes but had many questions of her trip, her sister and their son.

  “We cannot wait to be grandparents,” Harah said, mopping a tear from the corner of her eye. “Esta is a fine young woman and just the one to tame our Samael. We had despaired and worried we would lose him. Now I think all will be well.” The older woman beamed as though truly content.

  Oh, to be so happy! It was on the tip of Katrine’s tongue to remind Harah that Sam still went to sea on dangerous missions, but she thought better of it. Let her have her happiness.

  “He certainly is transformed, Mistress Harah.” Katrine was at a loss to think of anything else to say. She must keep her objections to the union private. She was here to help them move and anything else was none of her business.

  Claus topped up Katrine’s mug and offered her another biscuit. “Tell us of the estate and where we shall live, Lady Katrine,” he said. “I find myself looking forward to being busy again.”r />
  Katrine smiled. “There is much to do, Master Delacost. You only need to tell Esta what projects you wish to take on. She is excited to be welcoming you soon, and sorry not to be able to travel here herself.”

  Harah waved her hands at Katrine. “There is nothing to be sorry for. She is with child. We would be angry if she put herself and the babe at risk. We will see her soon enough.”

  “You are kind,” Katrine said. “I admit I was fearful she would insist on coming. She is usually so bossy.” Katrine fell silent, wondering if Esta was feeling as well as she said she was.

  Harah grinned at her. “Their babe will be a handful. I can’t wait to see him or her.”

  Katrine remembered the earlier question. “Our estate is a day’s travel south of Wildecoast. We grow or make almost everything we need, and, until Sam came along, things were tough. His money has meant we can pay our staff and plant new crops. We’ve been able to repair the fences around the cattle pastures.” She paused to look at Claus. “There are so many buildings in need of repair, you have years of work ahead of you.”

  He positively glowed in response to the news. Katrine smiled back at him. He and Harah would be good company for her mother who was often lonely. She hoped they all got along.

  “Mother has insisted you stay in the main house until we can have accommodation built for you. Perhaps you would like to help with that as your first task?”

  Harah frowned. “Will we not be in the way? Two extra old folk around the house?”

  “It’s a large house, with plenty of room. Mother is preparing her best guest room as we speak. It’s getting a whitewash and we’ve commissioned my Aunt Paurella, the Queen’s dressmaker, to replace the drapes and bed covers. You’ll be quite comfortable.”

  Harah clasped her hands over her bosom. “I can hardly believe this is happening. For so many years we wondered if Samael would go away to sea and not return. We worried ourselves sick. And now he will give us a home, a family, and a grandchild.”

  Claus clasped his wife’s hands. “You can believe, my dear. Our faith in that little babe thirty odd years ago has been rewarded. We took him in when Vitavia couldn’t look after him and now he has given us all this.”

  Tears sprang to Kat’s eyes as she listened to the pair. They deserved this chance at a new life after decades of struggle. She couldn’t help wondering if she deserved hers too. Kat cleared her throat and stood, placing the mug carefully on the hearth.

  “I’ll settle into my room and then I must begin the task I was sent here for.”

  Claus stood too. “Rest for the night, my dear. It is late, and you are tired.”

  “Yes,” Harah said. “Unpack and then please join us for the evening meal. It is almost ready.”

  Kat nodded and hurried from the room, uncomfortable in their presence. She felt like an outsider in their home and their lives, but it would be better when she got to know them. She closed the door of her room and rested against it, eyes closed. How could she haul herself out of this abyss she had fallen into?

  Chapter 3

  The next morning dawned fine and bright and Kat was up early, imbued with enthusiasm after a good night’s sleep. For once the nightmares that had dogged her since the Crystal Cave stayed away. Perhaps it was sheer exhaustion that caused the break in her usual nightly routine.

  She made her bed, even though she never would at home. Mother had always taught Kat and her sister to be good guests and tidying after oneself was part of that. Kat joined Harah in the kitchen and her hostess promptly placed a warm bowl of oats in front of her. Porridge! Kat barely managed not to grimace.

  “Thank you, Mistress Delacost,” she said, ladling honey and milk over the mixture as well as a decent measure of dried fruit.

  “I always say a good breakfast sets you up for the day.” Harah bustled back to the fire where she was preparing a loaf for the oven. “And please call me Harah. We are to be family!”

  “Thank you, Harah. Mother says the same.” Katrine smiled, though a good breakfast on the farm consisted of bacon and eggs with sausages and mushrooms and fresh bread. She spooned the porridge into her mouth, determined to finish it. “Where would you have me start with the packing?”

  Harah turned from placing the bread in the oven. “I will begin with the kitchen, but I need more trunks I can pack into.” She pulled out a gold coin, examined it and the offered it to Kat. “Would you take this coin and purchase three large trunks from the marketplace?”

  Kat took the offered coin. “It will buy much more than three trunks, Harah.”

  “Acquire anything else you think might be necessary, my dear. I need a new broom and perhaps a pail for water.” She sounded distracted. “Now, where did I put the pan?”

  Kat smiled. “I can see you’re busy, so I’ll be going. I may be most of the morning as I need to stop by the inn and collect the coach.” Harah waved at her, and Kat left the kitchen. She returned to her room to retrieve her coat and left with a wave to Claus who was whitewashing the outside of the cottage.

  She decided to walk to the inn and, as she did so, she wondered if she would need to find Mason or if she could simply walk into the stables and hitch the team to her coach. Dressed as she was, in breeches and tunic, she doubted it. Someone would take her for a thief and she would find herself in trouble. Kat ground her teeth at the need to rely on Mason, but it was the sensible thing to do. Did this mean Kat was becoming responsible, growing up? At twenty-four, she supposed it was high time.

  She stepped into the common room of The King’s Crown and cast her eye around for her driver. There were few patrons at this early hour of the morning, and those present were eating their breakfast. She spotted Mason chatting to a serving girl over by the hearth and joined him. The girl bobbed a curtsy and walked away.

  “Morning, Miss Katrine,” he said, climbing to his feet. “I was about to come find you.”

  “Well, I’ve found you instead. Mistress Delacost has sent me into town to shop and I need the coach.”

  “Right away,” he said, leaving his unfinished meal and throwing down a few coins. He led the way out the back to the stables.

  Kat received a lot of interest as she waited for Mason to hitch the team to the coach. She would have helped, but it would have attracted even more notice. She chewed her lip, wondering if she should have donned a gown to go shopping. The last thing she needed was men ogling her backside in the tight breeches that were her favored garment. A tendril of anger wormed its way up from her gut. Why should she have to worry about such a thing? Men didn’t have to.

  One of the stable hands eyed her with unconcealed lust. As he made to approach her, Kat bent down and pulled a knife out of her boot, testing the edge with her thumb. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the man back up and disappear into a nearby stall. Two others laughed nervously. Kat ground her teeth. She was more than capable of defending herself, but she didn’t wish to prove so. She hoped the man and his friends wouldn’t seek to test her knife skills.

  Shaking her head, she hopped up beside Mason. They rolled out of the stable yard and took the wide cobbled road toward the market. Mason kept up a monologue about his experiences at the inn last evening, so Kat only had to nod and murmur. It suited her as her mind was on other things. Now she was in Costa, she was impatient to get the task of moving the Delacosts done and get home. She would rather not run into grumpy James Tomel, and, the longer she lingered, the more chance there was coming face to face with him again. The thought of his accusations made her palm itch. He had no right to assume and none to judge either.

  They arrived in the market square, and Kat had all of her purchases made within the hour. The urgency she had arrived with melted away and she enjoyed browsing the stalls, all with such varied wares—from fish, fruit, and vegetables to pies and bolts of cloth from all over the kingdom. Kat was eager to discover where each item came from and lingered to chat with several merchants. As long as she kept on the move, she didn’t attract much att
ention.

  “Miss, I think we should return with our purchases,” Mason said, as Kat paused in front of a stall displaying silver bangles. She had searched for a bangle with a wolf’s head on it for ages.

  “You go back, Mason,” she said, examining each trinket carefully. “I’ll be fine by myself.”

  “You should come with me,” he said. “There’s plenty of weird folk here.”

  “Then I’ll fit right in.” She cast the driver a bright smile.

  “Your sister wouldn’t want me to leave you.”

  “My sister will never know if you don’t tell her.” Kat cast Mason a stern look, usually enough to close down any argument.

  “Well,” he said, “if you’re sure.”

  “Go and deliver the goods to Harah and Claus, then you can have a break. I’ll meet you back at the house for the heavy lifting midafternoon.”

  “Right you are, take care.”

  He slipped away through the crowd, and Kat forgot about him as soon as he was out of sight. Why did men think you were only safe when they were around? She had traveled by herself before, through more danger than this market provided. A shiver went up her spine at the thought. She cast around for the source of the threat.

  A scrawny man in dirty rags slunk through the crowd at the stall across from the jewelry stand, and, as Kat watched, he stopped behind a farm wife wearing a straw hat. His hand slipped into the bag the woman carried over her shoulder.

  Without thinking, Kat sent a sliver of magic shooting toward the thief who shrieked at the top of his lungs, snatched his hand back, and ran for his life. She smiled to herself. That will teach him to steal from hard working farmers! A growl sounded off to her right, and Kat turned to see what made the noise.

  Only ten yards away, a huge gray dog stood, its malevolent yellow stare fixed upon her, lips curled in a snarl. Dread exploded in her heart as she recognized deadly intent in its eyes. Run!