Forging Alliances: Wizards of White Haven

by Frances Howitt

  ‘A building always looks so different once it has its roof on,’ Amelie remarked. The roof seemed a little large as it overhung the walls quite a lot, but that would lend protection from bad weather.

  ‘Yes. It won’t seem so odd once all that bright new wood is covered over though. Come on, let’s get this done.’

  ‘Does he always work so fast?’ Jack asked quietly, watching in awe as inanimate things leapt about by themselves and with inhuman speed, affixed themselves in orderly ranks.

  ‘This is an example of his unusual strength. He’s also put the roof on every building in our village so he knows exactly how to do it quickly,’ Dustin responded, although he’d never witnessed Jim build anything since his battle with the wizards. This speed was new and proved Jim had indeed been lastingly affected. It was evident, that whilst he’d offloaded most of the spare magic, some had remained.

  Jack spared a quick glance about him and realised the other spectators were also standing gaping at the spectacle unfolding so rapidly before them, so he wasn’t alone. He looked back, aware that at this speed he could easily blink and miss something. Quickly the last corner was covered over with slate and the flying tiles ceased moving. He watched Jim, rather than immediately examine the work accomplished, and noticed his eyes had changed to lion gold. He was not therefore surprised to watch the lion-man wrap an arm possessively around Amelie’s shoulders and lead her away without a word. Only now the lion was gone did he go forward with everyone else to have a closer look at the newly completed structure.

  Spirits were high at the obvious achievement taking shape before them. Tomorrow the guest accommodation would be built and then they’d begin the big stable block, with barns for feed and straw as well as space for guests’ wagons.

  Meanwhile, teams of people were already busy making items to outfit the Inn’s interior, including creating the all important kitchen. There would be a long curving bar with tall stools and then next on the agenda was dining furniture.

  Since Drew had been highly trained in Lord Dirk’s service as a senior housemaid, she had been happy to accept the offer to run the accommodation side of things, with her brother and Ailsa helping staff the reception and bar areas. Therefore two staff apartments would need to be kitted out quickly for Drew and little Holly, with Daniel and Ailsa in the second. Space for additional accommodation would also be reserved for further staff. Many of the people who had made their way to the village in search of a refuge were looking for work, so they were sure they’d have little problem finding cooks, barmaids, cleaning staff and stable-hands.

  Once the bar and restaurant were completed they planned to finish a guest room at a time. They would outfit each bedroom with at least the basics so they could start taking paying guests at the earliest opportunity.

  As the days passed, they could see visitors to the school passing by, most peering in at the half built bar hopeful of a meal and refreshment. Having to turn away merchants, deliverymen and student parents, who were all potential paying guests, focused the mind on getting the kitchen, dining rooms and restaurant ready as quickly as possible.

  There was also a steady flow of animus visitors, many of whom had heard White Haven was animus friendly. Even those not seeking refuge, regarded White Haven as a safe place to rest and recuperate before they journeyed on. Situated near a trade route and many miles from the next Inn, there was little doubt they’d pick up sufficient trade to keep them busy.

  10. Lord Aubrey

  ‘Excuse me. Jim?’

  Jim focused on the tentative mental contact, instantly determining which wizard it was.

  ‘Good morning Tobias. How are you?’

  ‘I am well, thank you for asking,’ Tobias replied politely, whilst trying to hide his unease as instead of a simple polite link, Jim grasped onto his mind. Why did he always feel like the lion character took charge at these times, seizing hold and indeed control, until it decided it wished to release him? He was also completely aware that, whilst Jim had not breached his shields, he was capable of doing so even from this distance. Not comfortable impressions. ‘My Lord Aubrey is expressing the wish to visit you tomorrow. Would that be convenient?’

  ‘Yes of course,’ Jim responded. ‘He’s always welcome. He’ll be pleased to know we finished building the Inn a few days ago. It’s not fully furnished yet, but will be more spacious and comfortable.’

  ‘Excellent news! He was rather hoping it would be finished by now.’

  ‘Will you be joining him?’

  ‘Not this time, I have other duties to attend to.’

  ‘Very well, until next time then,’ Jim replied and disconnected from Tobias. He was amused that Lord Aubrey’s aide remained so nervous, clearly wishing to end contact as quickly as possible, despite the fact he’d said nothing to worry the man. The fact Tobias had tried to force him to accept the Eastern Guild’s rule and failed, clearly still rankled. Tobias was in a difficult position and Jim was not vindictive by nature; he had no real wish to make life harder for him. Since Tobias was an Eastern Guild wizard he should really be following their plan to shun White Haven. However, he was employed by Lord Aubrey as his aide and the Lord had taken White Haven under his wing. Therein lay the divided loyalty. Jim was just glad Lord Aubrey had been present when he’d had his “discussions” with Tobias who had had to explain the Guild’s stance. Perhaps this was why Aubrey hadn’t insisted Tobias come with him this time.

  As he walked down the drive to the new Inn, he wondered why the lord was visiting. Was he just checking on the school’s continuing progress or had something happened?

  As he drew closer to the Inn he was relieved to note that the excess building materials had already been cleared away from the barn adjoining the stables, the last major building to be constructed. Sounds of industry greeted his ears and as he came around the back of the block, he found some men busy sawing and sanding planks of wood, creating the stall partitions and doors to secure them. Noting a stack of timber posts and rails nearby he suspected they were cut ready for a small paddock to be fenced.

  ‘Wizard Jim,’ one of the animus men greeted.

  ‘Good morning,’ Jim said and then advised them of Lord Aubrey’s impending visit and that they had a day and a half to prepare. ‘I see you’ve got one of the looseboxes almost done. Could you concentrate on finishing that one, so Lord Aubrey’s mount has a safe place? I need to tell them inside and have a look at what else needs finishing up.’

  ‘Sir, Lord Aubrey isn’t likely to come alone. I’m not sure we’ve time to finish enough stalls for his guardsmen’s mounts as well,’ he admitted unhappily.

  ‘I was thinking fencing the paddock would be the quickest way of hosting an unknown number of troop horses,’ Jim suggested. ‘I don’t imagine you’ve yet got bedding, hay, grain and of course water buckets readily to hand to stable several animals separately, even if you do manage to finish enough stalls?’

  ‘No, we haven’t had time to do all that. You think fencing would be quicker?’

  ‘Yes. Well, for me in any case. Don’t worry, I can sort that later,’ Jim assured the man. ‘I see posts and rails, but is there enough timber for the gate as well?’

  ‘I believe the rest of the fencing is cut ready, we just need to collect it from the sawmill.’

  ‘Excellent. I’ve just contacted Drako about the visit. He’ll have someone bring the timber over and also redirect some extra hands to help out. I’m sure there is any number of jobs we could have used more time to finish up before we had guests, but oh well!’

  ‘Thank you sir,’ the man said and exchanged a glance with his friend. Damn, a day to get the place ready for guests? How was that even possible? However, with this wizard involved, he had faith a way would be found to make it happen.

  Inside, Jim found Daniel industriously sweeping around the new bar and through to the dining areas, ridding them of construction sawdust and debris. Drew was in the kitchen area cleaning the new worktops and cabinets in preparat
ion for varnish.

  Hearing more activity he headed through the dining area, equipped so far with a single table and four chairs, outside to the boardwalk fronting the sleeping accommodation. To his surprise, one of the empty bedrooms was currently serving as a small workshop. Jack stood amongst piles of timber, curls of shaved wood and tools, working on making furniture. Whilst Jim had heard Jack’s trade was as a wheelwright, clearly he could turn his hand to other woodworking projects. When he had a minute he’d have to speak to Drako about building him a proper workshop and persuading him to stay. Jack was clearly willing to work wherever needed and versatile. He was the kind of man endlessly useful to have around. Jim nodded to him, letting him carry on, while he continued to have a look at their progress.

  ‘Jim, thought that felt like you,’ Cassy greeted popping her head out of an open window to see him approach.

  ‘Great, the very person,’ Jim responded and joined her in the large suite that was destined to be for VIPs. Looking around him he jogged up the feature staircase. He was happy to note that the bathroom had been plumbed and fully outfitted, but the loft bedroom and ground floor living room were completely empty as yet. Cassy was busy painting the walls a clean fresh white, which was why all the windows were open to dispel the fumes.

  ‘Why does that sound ominous?’ she laughed, but had followed to watch him prowl through the suite, aware he was looking closely at what they’d done so far. This was her first solo design and build project, accomplished without his input. She held her breath awaiting his verdict and what might not meet his exacting standards. She almost ground her teeth in rising nerves as he briefly examined the view of grass out the windows. However, he then turned to meet her gaze and nodded approval. Now she felt she could breathe again. How silly to be so nervous!

  ‘You know me too well Cassy. I’ve just been contacted by wizard Tobias. Lord Aubrey is planning to visit us tomorrow.’

  ‘Tomorrow?’ Cassy blew out a breath in dismay. ‘We’re not remotely ready for guests, let alone the refinements a Lord will be expecting.’

  ‘I did tell Tobias we didn’t have the place fully furnished yet but he didn’t offer to postpone the visit. I can’t believe the timing though, you’ve only just got the buildings themselves up.’

  ‘Well, you did say Tobias, or the guild itself, was monitoring you,’ Cassy said slowly. ‘We did tell him this building project was the next thing on the list. You helped with the roofing, remember. He’ll have felt that.’

  ‘I suppose so. He’d know it was only a few days ago that we were using lots of magic here. You think he’s being vindictive, trying to catch us unprepared?’

  Cassy shrugged, but knew the guild had lost face in their dealings with Jim. ‘They could be petty like that and plan to make us look incompetent.’

  Jim growled irritably, his lion wanting to slap Tobias until he showed proper respect. He glanced round sensing additional presences and realised his growl had drawn Jack to the doorway and also Daniel was approaching with Drew in his wake. Oh well, that at least meant he could tell them all the happy news of Lord Aubrey’s impending visit tomorrow.

  ‘It’ll take him half a day to get here so we’ll have the morning too,’ Cassy said, aware that Daniel, Jack and Drew were new to the area.

  ‘Don’t worry folks, we won’t be found lacking,’ Jim said briskly, aware of dismay emanating from everyone both at the timing and the considerable amount of work left to do. ‘The main thing we really need to do is to properly furnish this suite. Forget about preparing the rest of the Inn at this point. We can take him straight round the back directly to this door, remember. Right, I noticed we already have a dining table and chairs built. I’m thinking they would actually be handy to move in here. That way we needn’t bother trying to outfit the main dining room. His meals can be served here, combining security and privacy for him and whoever joins him. We need a proper bed and linen. In fact, last time he stayed I upgraded the furnishings in the school’s guest quarters. Since time is short, I suggest we just move the furniture from there down here. That way the room will be done and we can concentrate on whatever else needs finishing or tidying up.’

  ‘Who else is likely to be accompanying this Lord?’ Drew asked, well aware Lords usually had some form of entourage.

  ‘If he does what he did last time, then he’ll have his bodyguard Curtis sleeping in here and a squad of guardsmen accompanying him. There’s a long couch in the guest quarters that Curtis seemed content to sleep on last time. As for the guardsmen, I’m not sure how many will come. I think we should just bring down as many of the spare school beds as we can. Daniel, there should be some helpers arriving from the village soon. Can you take whoever arrives first up to the school to collect furniture? Get someone to fetch a wagon. I’ll speak to Mrs White and tell her to expect you. Drew, you should probably go with him. Lord Aubrey is a seasoned warrior in nature. As long as the essentials work, are clean and of reasonable quality he’s unlikely to complain. Mrs White will find you anything else you think we need by way of soft furnishings to cater for his comfort. Don’t go overboard though; what’s already in the school guest room will probably suffice, especially as they know this is an Inn. This suite should feel welcoming and restful. It doesn’t need fancy gilded fittings to be perfectly acceptable.’

  ‘Mrs White is what?’ Drew asked nervously. She knew all too well how exacting a guest a lord could be.

  ‘Her family built the main house and later allowed it to be turned into a school. She now manages all aspects of the household.’

  ‘Borrowing what we need does seem sensible,’ she agreed, letting her breath out in relief. The housekeeper of such a large place as this school would have experience in handling important guests and was likely to have everything the Inn needed. Borrowing would tide them over until the Inn could be properly outfitted. ‘We’ll need tableware as well as rugs and bedroom items. Leave it to me,’ she added and Jim gave her an approving nod.

  ‘I’d better finish off this painting,’ Cassy said. ‘What are you going to do?’ she asked Jim noticing him turn to the door and hesitate.

  ‘I need to fence in the paddock, since we don’t yet have enough stables. Where exactly had you planned for it to go and how big is it going to be?’

  ‘I can show you,’ Jack offered, realising Cassy really did need to finish painting urgently. It would be an annoying delay if the men, already headed up to the school to fetch furniture, wouldn’t be able to bring it straight in. The walls would also need time to dry.

  ‘Thanks Jack,’ Cassy called and watched the two men walk outside. The view of open parkland visible through the window was pleasant. Utilising part of it for grazing guests’ livestock was at least more attractive than spoiling the view by building sheds just there.

  ***

  When Lord Aubrey entered the grounds the following afternoon, the sun was shining. The tree lined drive did not drip rain down the back of his neck as it had on his last visit, but instead provided pleasant dappled shade. Not far from the gates, on the right hand side of the drive, he noticed a large set of buildings had sprung up since his last visit. The Inn was shaped like the majority of coaching inns, obvious about its purpose. A sign, painted in elegant script above the entrance, declared this to be Haven’s Rest. He frowned, noticing it didn’t look open for business, since a saw-bench stood blocking the entrance. A previously unnoticed man rose to his feet from a shadowed seat on the covered wraparound porch in front and came towards them. Aubrey smiled and urged his horse forward to meet him.

  ‘Lord Aubrey. Welcome.’

  ‘Wizard Jim, it’s nice to see you,’ Aubrey responded. ‘I like the name, Haven’s Rest. I’m assuming this is the Inn?’

  ‘Yes. I think it’ll be a good addition once it’s complete. I must apologise, we only finished building the exterior walls a couple of days ago. Interiors always seem to take longer to do, so we aren’t yet officially open,’ Jim admitted. ‘However, we’ve prepared ac
commodation for you at the rear if you’d like to follow me?’

  Aubrey remained on his horse, following the wizard as he immediately walked swiftly through the wide archway to the left. Aubrey recognised that everything here was indeed very newly built. On his right, was what looked like the bar part of the Inn, with sleeping accommodation behind on two stories. Stables, and a couple of small neat barns, were located in separate buildings on his left. Jim halted at the end of the accommodation block and gestured to a door set into the end wall. Aubrey dismounted, automatically draping his reins over the hitching rail nearby. He didn’t bother waiting for his guardsmen to dismount, although Curtis, his bodyguard, was swiftly at his side.

  ‘This way, my lord,’ Jim said and opened the door.

  ‘Well, this is a nice surprise,’ Aubrey admitted stepping into a spacious double-height suite that was flooded with sunshine from the large windows in the end and side walls. To his left was a spacious seating area with a pair of comfortable armchairs and peaceful views out over the park from the window. The long couch, grouped with the chairs but sited near the door, would doubtless adequately serve as Curtis’s bed. To the right was a dining area, set with a large solid table neatly pre-laid with cloth and silverware. Sitting at the table he would have views of the end of the stable block and what looked to be the post and rails of a paddock.

  In the centre of the room was a wide feature staircase with open wooden treads. Curious, he headed up into a large private bedroom. Light flooded in from a window in the apex of the end wall and through the railings from the room below. On the right hand side of the room were two doors. One door led into a well appointed bathing room and the other a separate toilet. The suite was decorated in warm earthy tones enhanced by all the exposed timber beams, doors and furniture, with clean white walls. It was all so new he could smell the paint they’d used, although it wasn’t offensively strong. It all looked remarkably comfortable and inviting, especially to a weary traveller. Haven’s Rest did indeed seem an apt name.