Bound to Survive (The Magic Within Book 1)

by Sharon Gibbs

  ‘Oh,’ Henry said and sadness overtook his worry for them. Henry’s face became pale as he remembered that fateful day when he’d returned to the Keep to find his family murdered and left where they fell. It would’ve been the same here.

  Hank walked from behind the counter and placed a hand on Henry’s shoulder. He was sorry to have to tell him the news. These folk had died almost twenty years ago and Hank could still remember the day as if it were yesterday. He couldn’t tell Henry that they’d sought refuge within the walls of the Chancellor’s estate and that Mia had been raped and beaten in front of her husband while others from the village were forced to watch from behind guarded gates. Ardrich had fought for Mia and while he’d fought hard, he was no match for these warriors from across the sea.

  ‘Are you alright?’ Hank said as he sat Henry down on the wooden bench near the window.

  Henry was touched at this man’s tenderness for him. He was a stranger and yet Henry felt as if they’d known each other a lifetime because of Hank’s concern for him. He guessed Hank also had suffered as he had. Henry had been alone for so long that he’d forgotten what life used to be like. It was only at times like these, when he was jolted back in time to the memories of a previous life and the loss that followed, that he actually let himself remember.

  ‘I had another friend,’ Henry said. ‘He used to work at the Chancellor’s manor. He was the Advisor to the Chancellor. Do you know what happened to him?’ There could be a chance Hank knew where to find Clarence, if he was still alive.

  ‘Your friend is still alive. He’s been held prisoner in the manor for the last twenty years.’

  Henry sat up straight. ‘What? How could I’ve not heard about this before now?’ Henry became angry when he heard this news. ‘I have to get him out,’ Henry said as he jumped up and paced around the shop.

  ‘You can’t. He’s bound by the Sorceress’ magic,’ Hank said. ‘Only the guards that escort him for the parade have the control to release him from his prison. I’m afraid it’s hopeless.’

  ‘What parade?’

  ‘The first Sunday in the month Clarence is paraded around the town and all must come and watch. It’s to remind our people that Lord Arnak is ruler here. The Sorceress has suppressed Clarence’s magic to show us no other magic is as powerful as hers.’

  ‘There has to be a way. If one looks hard enough there’s an answer to everything. You just have to find it.’ Henry sat again and thought. When he looked up, Hank still stood in front of him. ‘Thank you for your help, but I must go now,’ he said rising from the seat.

  ‘If you need anything just let me know,’ Hank said. He’d known Clarence since he’d first arrived to work at the manor and when the Lord had imprisoned the Wizard Hank had worried about him. He’d helped Clarence in his own small way by taking care of Elle. He knew she cared for Clarence and took great risk to provide him with the essentials he needed.

  Peter had met up with Christopher and James and they walked around the market. The morning was busy, as they waited for Henry to return and they stopped at the small stalls to talk with the owners, hopeful for any information that might prove useful. As Christopher turned away from one of the stalls he walked smack into Elle and the force knocked her basket of apples out of her hands. Elle lost her balance as Christopher’s body collided with hers and his arms flew out to grasp hold of her and stop her fall. The apples bounced out of the basket as it hit the ground and rolled amongst the feet of the people passing by. As they sidestepped the fruit they stared at the girl they knew embraced in the stranger’s arms.

  ‘Forgive me. I didn’t look where I was going,’ Christopher said.

  Elle looked up into Christopher’s face. Her body was pressed against his and for reasons she couldn’t understand, for that moment in time, she could do nothing but stare. Words failed her.

  ‘Are you okay, Miss?’ he said as he released her from his hold. Peter and James had rushed around and picked up the apples before they were kicked and further damaged by the flurry of feet.

  ‘I’m fine,’ Elle said, still a little shaken.

  Peter handed Christopher the basket of apples.

  ‘I hope they’re all right,’ Christopher said. ‘If any are damaged I’ll be happy to replace them.’

  ‘So you have coin to buy more?’ Elle reached out and took her basket.

  ‘No, but I’m sure I could get you some and when I find work, I’ll pay the stall owner for them.’

  ‘You’ll find no handout around here. People will only part with goods for coin, not the promise of it, especially when that person is a stranger,’ Elle said as she checked the apples.

  ‘My name’s Christopher,’ he said as he watched her sort through the basket.

  She looked up at Christopher and saw in his face the sincerity of his words and felt a flicker erupt in her stomach.

  ‘Elle. My name’s Elle,’ she said and then she blurted out, ‘The apples will be fine, but if it’s work you want, you could try up at the manor. They’re in need of someone to work in the stables.’ As she spoke she settled herself and drew on her inner strength to calm the turmoil within her that she didn’t understand. Never before had she felt like this; even the soldiers couldn’t make her quake in her boots.

  ‘And what type of work would that be?’

  ‘They need a stable hand to tend the horses and prepare them for patrol. It won’t pay much but you’ll get a meal, a bed in the stables and a few coins for your time.’

  Christopher was relieved by her answer and said he’d see about it that afternoon. He again apologised for his intrusion and the damage to the apples. Then he bid her good day and continued on to meet with Henry.

  Elle collected the rest of the supplies upon her list. She couldn’t help but replay the events over in her head. The smell of Christopher still lingered in her senses as she remembered how he’d held her close and the memory caused her insides to ignite.

  When she was finished in the market, Elle walked over to the butcher’s. Hank would load the meat in the cart for her before she returned to the manor. As she approached the shop, she saw an old man leave the building and she watched him as he walked over to a group of three younger men, one of whom she recognised as Christopher. Elle watched as the four men walked across the market and left along the road that led out of the town.

  Elle climbed the steps to the front door of the shop and she wondered why these four strangers were here. Thoughts of Christopher swirled in her head again and she had to shake herself to be free of his face that seemed to loom up and cloud her vision.

  Hank looked up as Elle walked through the door. ‘All ready to go, lass. I’ll get Mace to bring your cart around and we’ll load up your order.’

  Mace was Hank’s grandson. At thirteen he’d already grown tall, but as of yet he hadn’t filled out. He was quite smitten with Elle and became shy when she was around.

  ‘Thank you, Hank. You always know what a girl needs.’ Elle giggled as she took a seat over by the window. ‘I’ll just rest while Mace brings the cart around. I’ve been jostled around enough for one day.’

  ‘Why? What happened? Any of those soldiers give you a hard time in the market, Elle?

  ‘No Hank, I bumped into a stranger in the market and dropped my basket of apples. I was lucky I didn’t end up sprawled on the ground like they did. In fact, I just saw him again. He was waiting out in the square for the old man that left your store. Do you know who they are?’

  Hank was hesitant. He didn’t want to tell Elle, but he wouldn’t lie to her even though he knew it would be safer for her if he did. ‘They’ve come to find their friend,’ Hank said. ‘He asked if I knew where he was.’

  ‘Who’s their friend?’

  ‘Your friend, who lives up at the manor.’

  ‘What, one of the soldiers? They’re not my friends.’

  ‘No, Elle. The prisoner. Clarence.’

  Elle’s heart leapt in her throat. She knew one day someone would
come for him and now they were here. ‘What’s their plan? Did they say how they’re going to get him away from here?’

  ‘Hold on, missy,’ Hank said as Elle prattled on. ‘He didn’t say anything. He’s just found out that Clarence has been locked away all these years. Of course he wants to get him out, but they’ll have to think of a way to do it and I can’t think of how it can be done.’

  ‘I know,’ Elle said, but before she could say anymore Hank stopped her.

  ‘You stay out of this, Elle. There’ll be trouble, girl, and soon enough. I don’t want you mixed up in it. I couldn’t bear to see your head on a pike and neither could your father. So forget about it.’

  ‘So you’re saying, Hank, that I should stand by and watch them take enormous risk, not only with their own lives but Clarence’s as well? When I could provide a small amount of information to help keep them safe? If we stand by and do nothing to help these men, we condone this slavery. To accept such a thing and do nothing, we risk the lives of innocent men, and that is something I couldn’t live with. Could you?’

  Elle’s words bit into Hank’s heart. She was right not to accept the inhumanity within their town. To not give assistance to another when the need was great, was just as bad as if they’d committed the crime themselves and Hank knew for certain how he’d feel if it were his kin that were caught and slain. There’d already been enough blood to stain the earth for a lifetime and he nodded his head.

  ‘You’re right, lass. We should help if we can. Just promise me you’ll take care. I don’t know how your father would live if he lost you also. It was bad enough when your mother died. Rest her soul.’

  Elle walked to Hank and kissed him on the cheek. ‘Hank, I value my life and am always careful about what I choose.’

  Hank kissed Elle on the forehead, then wrapped his arms around her and held her close.

  ‘I know, lass. I just worry for you.’ He gave her one last squeeze before he released her. ‘Come on now,’ he said as he walked to the back of the shop. ‘Mace will be waiting out back with your horse.’

  Once the cart was loaded they said their goodbyes and Elle led the horse back up to the manor.

  Elle worked in the kitchen the rest of that day and when she went outside to gather wood for the fire, she searched for evidence that Christopher had been to the stables. From the back of the manor the stables were visible and she could see all who came and went. The well stood almost half way between the house and the stables and made it easy for both buildings to access.

  The sun was beginning to set as Elle made her way down to the well. She’d have to draw water for the kitchen and see to Clarence before she could head home to her father.

  Elle attached the wooden bucket onto the hook and lowered it into the well. A rope was secured to a strong cross beam that rotated when it was turned by the handle on the side. This enabled a bucket to be lowered to collect water. When it was full it could be hauled back up and retrieved by the user. It was hard work and Elle perspired with the exertion. She stopped and leant against the stone of the well after she’d hauled up the second bucket.

  Standing there catching her breath she caught a glimpse of a tall man moving in the shadows near the stables. He disappeared into the darkness of the building with something large in his arms. Elle then saw Foss, the stable master, emerge from the darkness of the building followed by the tall man. She watched them as Foss pointed around to various areas of the estate. He shook hands with the stranger and walked away.

  It wasn’t long before Elle realised that the man was now walking in her direction and she returned to her task. The buckets were heavy and she moved awkwardly as she tried not to spill the water as she made her way back to the kitchen. Too much lost would mean another trip back to the well and she still had much to do before she could head home to her father.

  Christopher had been at the stables all afternoon. At the gate he’d been told to see Foss the stable manager who wasn’t keen on a stranger amongst his team of hands. So Christopher was out to prove himself. He needed to ensure a position within the stables and to be in close proximity to the manor was paramount in his group’s plans. Because he worked in the stables, he’d be entitled to enter the kitchen in the manor house to have his meals and there he’d be able to survey the routine inside the household.

  Foss watched Christopher for the first part of the afternoon and it didn’t take long before the stable master was satisfied with Christopher and left him to complete the rest of the jobs on his own. He went about his tasks sure of himself as he was used to caring for his family’s animals. As Christopher finished for the day, Foss had pointed out the various aspects of the estate to him. He declined a bed in the back of the stables but accepted a meal up at the manor house. Foss said he’d see him at dinner and told Christopher to return tomorrow at first light. The men shook hands and as the sun slipped beyond the horizon and the dark of the night began to drift in, Christopher ventured up the small incline towards the house. Ahead of him he saw a girl struggling as she carried a bucket in each hand. Her burden looked heavy and caused her to stagger as she ventured away from the well.

  Christopher quickened his pace to catch up with her.

  Elle could hear the stranger behind her and tried to move a little faster, but the buckets of water she carried were heavy and the faster she tried to move the more water she spilled. In the end she gave up and eased her pace.

  ‘Can I help you carry those?’ Christopher asked as he walked up behind her.

  Elle came to a halt and placed her buckets on the ground. She turned around to see who this man was and recognised him as the one who’d bumped into her in the market that morning.

  So he’d come. Her heart did a little flip, not just at the sight of him, but because he was here and her hopes for Clarence now climbed. She hadn’t been able to go down to the cellar that afternoon and so she hadn’t been able to tell Clarence of his friend’s arrival.

  ‘They look heavy. I could carry them for you, Elle. I’m on my way up to the house for the evening meal,’ Christopher offered.

  When she’d stopped, Christopher had recognised her. He already knew she worked in the kitchen at the manor and wasn’t surprised to see her as she fetched water from the well. Elle watched as Christopher picked up the buckets with ease and set off towards the back door of the house. As he strode along Elle noticed that no water slopped over the sides of the buckets and she had to quicken her step to keep up with him.

  ‘Thank you, but could you slow down a little,’ she said. ‘So is it true? Have you come for him? Do you have a plan?’ Elle was quite bold with her questions, but she felt she’d no reason to doubt why he and his friends were here.

  Christopher stopped. ‘What are you talking about?’ he said as she caught up with him. ‘Who am I here for, and why would I have a plan?’

  ‘Your friend in the manor,’ she said.

  Christopher placed the buckets down. ‘Who said I’ve a friend in the manor?’ Christopher wasn’t sure of Elle. She was quite forthright as she questioned him.

  ‘I saw you meet your friend in the market after he left Hank’s shop. When I went to see Hank to collect my order, he eventually told me the older gentleman was here to look for his friend and hadn’t known he’d been imprisoned in the manor. I just assumed you were going to help him escape.’

  Christopher gave in. There was no need for pretences. Instead he asked his own questions.

  ‘So you know him then?’

  ‘Yes, I’ve known him since I first came to work in the kitchens. I’ve cared for him when no one else would.’

  Christopher was pleased that someone had looked out for the man’s welfare when many didn’t care if he lived or died.

  ‘Could you take me to see him?’

  ‘Do you know how many guards live in the manor? It’s impossible for you to get in to see him,’ she said.

  ‘But you see him?’

  ‘Yes, every day. It’s my place to feed an
d tend to his needs. I could let him know you’re here. That would surely ease his mind and lift his spirits.’

  ‘So I wouldn’t be able to speak with or see him?’

  ‘It may be possible, but I doubt it. You’d never be allowed down in the cellar without a guard. We better head on to the house, the others will wonder where I am.’

  With that Elle picked up one of the pails and headed for the kitchen at a brisk pace. Christopher picked up the other bucket and followed her. They entered the kitchen and Elle placed the water over near the fire. Christopher followed and placed his bucket next to hers.

  ‘Sit over there,’ Elle said as she pointed out a seat near the end of the table. Then she continued with her chores.

  Workers entered the kitchen and took their seats around the table as others collected their evening meal and ate elsewhere. Some of them didn’t like to be under the same roof as the soldiers, who’d come and go as they pleased and instigate trouble wherever they could.

  Christopher talked with the other workers as he kept an eye on the routine of the kitchen. Noticing nothing unusual he watched Elle as she worked. The cook sliced fresh bread and lavished it with butter before placing it on a tray and putting it to the side. Collecting a large tureen she placed it near the fire and then after ladling the steaming stew into it she placed it next to the bread.

  Christopher was amazed at the quality of the food he saw served. Then Elle was summoned to take the food upstairs. She carried the heavy tureen while Hannah carried the tray of buttered bread. Then the cook filled the pot with water to add volume and stirred it again. She reached under the bench and took out what was left of yesterday’s bread and cut it into slices. These were placed in the middle of the table for the workers. No butter garnished these slices and Christopher was sorry he’d stayed for the evening meal.

  One of the kitchen girls half filled wooden bowls and as Christopher received his he looked at the watery liquid, poking the vegetables with his spoon so they disappeared beneath the surface. There was no tray of meats or prepared vegetables to follow but everyone around the table began to eat. Each took a slice of the stale bread and placed it on the table next to their bowls. Christopher thought this strange and imagined that they’d have sopped it in the bowl to soften it some, but he did the same and placed his bread on the table and ate his meal along with the others.