“Even a tight stream of water will eventually fall to the ground,” Bridgett added.
“Bright and beautiful!” Gus quickly pointed out. “You two are a good match, boy.” He patted Osric's leg with a mischievous smile. Osric flushed in anger and embarrassment, and Bridgett looked away shyly.
Kenneth noticed their reactions to Gus' implication and interrupted, “But that can't be right. Water could only travel, at best, a few hundred strides. I have cast spells five times that far in the past.” He knew he would be insulted by Gus, yet he wanted to take the focus away from the embarrassed passengers in the front seats.
“Osric, you really must look for brighter friends.” Gus glared at Kenneth as he explained, “Magic has very little weight, so it can travel great distances. Yet even magic will fall and rejoin Archana after a time.” He said in a quick and condescending manor.
Osric nodded in appreciation to Kenneth as he looked up at the sun's position in the sky and realized that it was already mid'evening. He was surprised at the amount of information involved in wand-making, and he thought that they should be landing soon so the dragon could rest.
Truth be told, he would be glad to be able to stand and stretch his muscles after a long day of sitting. He had not had a chance to duel with his short sword for days due to the preparations for the Ratification Ceremony. His arms ached to feel the weight of it again, and too much time without practice would rob his muscles' memory of the movements. Many years of disciplined practice had made him a great swordsman, and it took hard work to maintain his skill.
“Greyback.” Osric called out politely.
“Yes?” She attentively replied.
“I am sure you would appreciate a night's rest?”
“Oh yes, Sir.” She responded gratefully.
Osric weighed the information that he had gathered and decided that he needed some time to think. So far, he had not heard anything that would explain his wand's reaction to his first spell. A couple of hours of swordplay, and a night of rest, should give him the time he needed to clear his head.
“Please, find us a good camp site and we can all rest.”
“I can see a nice one now, Sir. There’s a good sized clearing next to a river, with a blackberry bramble not too far away.” Greyback sounded fatigued, and added, with relief in her voice, “Only a few minutes away.”
“Very good, you beautiful beast.” The overly adulatory Gus asserted himself again.
“That would be wonderful, Greyback.” Osric was looking forward to being on solid ground. “We are grateful to you.” He had heard that dragons had excellent sight, but he was impressed by her ability to locate a campsite from the air. From their height, all Osric could see was a solid sea of foliage.
Soon enough, they began to make their way down to the heavily wooded area. Dense trees covered the landscape with an array of bright yellow and orange leaves. The sun sat low in the western sky, producing vivid orange, blue, and purple hues as they descended through the clouds.
Everyone seemed to relish the thought of feeling the soil beneath their feet, except for Gus, who had fearlessly made his way up the dragon's neck. He scratched the crown of her head, as he insisted repeatedly that he had never had such a pleasurable flight.
They swept in low near the edge of the clearing, and the landing was surprisingly graceful for a beast of that size. They all unfastened their harnesses, eager to disembark. Osric collected his gear and strapped on his sword belt as he stretched his legs and glanced around at their campsite from the height of the dragon's back.
He strung his boots together and slung them over his shoulder as he ambled his way to the folded wing and made his way down to the ground. He relished the feel of it on his naked feet, letting the soil slip through his toes. The grainy texture of the dirt with the slightly damp leaves and twigs was refreshing. He crossed the small clearing, noticing that all of the aches of the previous day were gone, and his muscles felt fresh and strong. He made his way to the stream, hearing the various calls of the birds in the trees, and noticing how the light played off of the leaves. Even the air seemed to empower him as he drew in each breath. It sent chills up his spine as he filled his lungs, heady from the strong smell of loam and pine needles stirred up by his steps.
Upon reaching the stream he knelt to wash his face, scooping cold water from the edge with cupped hands. The chill of the water on his skin was invigorating, and he had to resist stripping down and diving in. He stood, stretching his back and shoulders, and noticed Kenneth standing nearby.
“I feel different.”
“I do, too!” Kenneth stated enthusiastically, examining his own hands in awe. “And I like it!”
Gus was watching them flex their muscles from his perch on Greyback's neck. “You're a bunch of,” he started to insult them, and then he examined his own body. “Yes, yes, it appears you are correct again, boy.” In the voice of a happy man. “Now, let me take a look at the two of you.” He slid along Greyback's neck and began hopping down the bone ladder of her wing to make his way toward Kenneth and Osric so he could examine them with his gift.
“There is no need for that, Gus,” Bridgett stated. “I can explain what you are all feeling,” pulling the red amulet out from where it was tucked between her breasts.
“Indeed,” Gus said with reverence, approaching her instead. He examined its fibers as he walked ever closer. There was an obvious structure, not the ruby itself, but inside of it. An orb of magical energy that held a charm, and made the necklace an amulet. “It is beautiful, Bridgett. What is it?” He asked, intrigued.
“It is the Aduro Amulet- a gift from the unicorns.” She revealed as she went on. “It amplifies the magic in its host as well as their companions. I am surprised you have not felt it before now, but I suppose our thoughts have been preoccupied.”
“What an amazing trinket!” Gus was still gazing intently at the amulet.
“It amplifies my Empath ability,” she said, “allowing me to communicate more effectively with the unicorns.” Bridgett looked at Osric attentively. “That is how I knew they were interested in you.”
“Enough!” Osric was tired of being the center of attention. He was a decent Vigile and nothing more. There had been so much focus on him those last few days, as though he were someone great, and that frustrated him. He decided to set up camp and let Gus and Bridgett discuss it without him. “I am not special!” The amulet's power seemed to intensify the anger he felt for being put in an awkward position of importance. He realized how ridiculous he must sound, and took several deep breaths before continuing. “I'm sorry. I just need some time to think. I meant no disrespect.” He headed off quickly to avoid making a bigger fool of himself.
Kenneth joined him in setting up the camp. He could sense how his friend needed to work to feel better, and he assisted him in silence. They unloaded the storage crates strapped to Greyback and sent her off to hunt for her meal. Sorting through the supplies allowed Osric some time to work off some steam.
“Tell me, my dear, how long have you been with the unicorns?” Gus continued his conversation with Bridgett as they gathered wood for the fire.
“I have lived among the Maiden of the Unicorn for fifteen years.” Bridgett replied, as they watched Kenneth and Osric setting up camp. “My mother was a Healer, and when we discovered my ability as an Empath, she sent me to study with the Healers of Araseth.” She had a faraway look in her eyes as she related the tale of her childhood.
“Remarkable! I have heard of their existence, but never met anyone who had studied with them.” Gus was very interested in hearing more.
“I resided with the Healers for four years. I learned their ways of identifying and harvesting herbs and medicinal plants. They taught me to seek out and rid a body of pain and disease, and they showed me ways to use my Empath abilities to communicate with the world around me, with Archana itself.”
“Communicating with Archana? Er'amar's Wand, woman! What does that mean?” Gus
stood up rigidly, but his ears twitched with the intensity of his curiosity. He could hardly stand still at the thought, or the possibilities, of such a thing.
“Araseth Empaths attune their own magical power to that drawn from Archana for weaving spells. The way you are able to see the strands, I am able to hear them. It is not a conversation like you and I are having, but rather, an understanding of the world around me. I can feel the needs of the trees, and express myself to the lesser creatures when needed. It is rather empowering, to help a seed to grow because it asks me to.”
“Archana's bones, it has been years since I have been this excited about something new. I apologize for my language, and taking this conversation in a new direction, but I will ask you more about that another day.” Gus bowed to show respect, and lowered himself back to the ground. The effort he put into hiding his interest was apparent, as his right ear quivered when he spoke. “With all of that excitement, what brought you to the Maiden of the Unicorn?”
“The unicorns were frequent visitors to our valley, and as my powers developed, I spent more and more time among them when they came. They took me further outside the Healers' valley over time, showing me where to find rare plants, and leading me to sick animals who needed my help. On the four year anniversary of my arrival in the Araseth Valley, they gifted me the amulet, and we traveled two days to a small mountain lake. Death and decay were spreading from its waters, and many creatures had been sickened by drinking from it. It took everything within me, but I was able to heal the waters. From there we traveled to the Grove of the Unicorns, and they welcomed me among them.” Bridgett smiled at the memory, resting her free hand over the hidden amulet at her chest. “I have always suspected that if I had failed to cleanse the lake of its sickness, they would have returned me to the valley instead.” Bridgett piled the wood they had gathered in the clearing and went to the stream to collect water for their meal.
“Marvelous,” Gus exclaimed, and followed her toward the water, “they must have wa…”
“Whoa!” Kenneth shouted, interrupting Gus and Bridgett's conversation as he dropped the lid back onto one of the chests. His face was white as he drew his long sword and spun around. He began to frantically search the perimeter of their camp.
Osric drew his sword and wand and came rushing to his side, along with Gus and Bridgett, each one of them trying to see what rose the alarm in Kenneth. It was dark, and visibility was low.
“What is it?” Osric questioned him quickly as he gazed out into the darkness.
“Look in the chest, all of you!” Kenneth pointed behind him.
The three of them backed slowly toward the chest, keeping an eye toward the dark forest. Osric lifted the lid for Bridgett and Gus to peer in while he kept a lookout. Bridgett gasped and Gus swore as they both stepped back in shock.
Osric watched their faces drain of color, noticeable even in the twilight. He dreaded what he would find as he turned to look. There had been too many mysteries and so few answers. He did not think he could bear another one. As he looked within the chest to see what had sent his friend into a panic, and blanched the faces of his companions, he felt the memory of the vision send shivers across his skin.
“So much for the elaborate prank.” He whispered to himself. Pebble lay asleep in the bottom of the box.
8 – Fear Filled Flight
“I's was on my's way home,” Pebble explained between sobs, hanging his head, “an' I see'd my Pa talkin' to's the big dragon, so's I came to see's it.”
“By the strands, son, how did you end up in the box?” Gus shouted at him, terrified of what Pebble's presence meant for the fate of their party.
“I hided inside when the scary lady showed's up, and the lid's falled down so's I's couldn't get's out.” Pebble covered his eyes to avoid the stern looks directed at him. He was unsure what he had done wrong, but he knew from the look on his father's face that he was in trouble. “I's sorry!” Tears flowed freely down his cheeks as he looked around at their surroundings. The trees on the edge of the clearing towered above him and he trembled slightly in awe. He realized it must have been the dragon's flight that had rocked him to sleep, and he felt small and very scared waking up so far from his home. He wished everyone would stop looking at him so angrily; after all, he had not meant to stow away in the crate.
As the sky deepened to shades of purple and gray and the moon began to rise, they tried to settle into their places to rest. Each one of them was keenly aware of how the situation had changed. It would be a restless night, and Gus was taking it harder than the rest.
“Don't try to sleep by me! You are in so much trouble!” Gus shouted at Pebble. “Ask someone else! Be careful or they just might skip you across the water.” His face held anger toward Pebble, but there was fear and love in his eyes, as well. Perhaps a child would miss the underlying emotion, but the rest of them saw through the mask. Gus was terrified that his son would die on their journey.
Pebble looked despondent as he glanced tentatively toward the other members of their group who had all settled inside their thick woolen sacks. His big watery eyes looked around to see if anyone returned his gaze, to plead without voice for warmth and rest.
“Over here, dear.” Bridgett spoke sympathetically. Pebble began to slowly and cautiously make his way to her.
Softly and fearfully he asked, still just out of her reach, “Is you's gonna.” He breathed in with great effort, choking back his sobs. “Toss'ed me crossed da water's?”
“Oh no, dear, we will keep each other warm, alright?” Bridgett spoke softly but cheerfully, encouraging him to trust her. “Now come on, hop in here. I'm getting cold.” She opened the blanket slightly to give Pebble a place inside to sleep.
Pebble ran inside and cuddled up close to her and began to cry. Bridgett ran her fingers down his back to sooth his nerves. She looked up to see Osric watching her and they exchanged sympathetic smiles. He could not seem to tear his eyes from her kind face. She stared back at him, understanding how he felt, perhaps better than he did. She felt drawn to him as well, and they allowed themselves a moment of shared comfort in each other's emotions.
Realization came to Osric as he gazed into her blue eyes. He held up one finger for her to wait. He climbed out of his sack and walked quickly in the cold air to the chest that held the food and supplies. Osric poured a small amount of water into a dish and grabbed a honey cake, then made his way back to Bridgett, who smiled broadly at his consideration. He broke the cake in half as he knelt next to her.
“Pebble.” Osric called softly to him. “I have some food and water here for you. You really should eat. Would you like some?” He smiled at Bridgett again, and then gave her the biggest half, allowing his fingers to brush the inside of her wrist.
“It's honey cake.” Bridgett held the sack open slightly for Pebble and peered in.
“I cannot finish this whole thing by myself, and I would not want it to go to waste. Would you eat with me, please?” She held it so he could see.
Pebble peered out cautiously as he wiped his nose on Bridgett's shoulder. His little brown face wrinkled up as he sniffed back his tears, and an alertness returned to his eyes.
“Smells good, s'pose I can eats just a bit.” Pebble had a small amount of eagerness in his voice.
Bridgett broke off a little piece and handed it to him, and Osric set the dish of water down in front of them. Pebble's cheeks were soon bulging, and Bridgett giggled as she swept crumbs from the soft wool lining. She felt Pebble snuggle deeper into the sack, until he was curled up against her chest, and soon he was sleeping peacefully.
After a moment, Osric stood up and carried the dish back to their baggage. He climbed into his own sack across the fire from hers, and noticed a contemplative expression on Gus' face. He turned his back to the old Wand-Maker, and fell asleep listening to Bridgett's breathing and Kenneth's rumbling snores. Tomorrow would be another day, and he intended to find some answers.
* * *
Osric w
oke early, anxious to cleanse the old witch's dried blood from his tunic. After splashing the cold water on his face, he stripped it off and knelt down to wash the garment against the smooth rocks at the river's edge. He was especially careful not to let his scabbard dip into the water, so the hilt rested uncomfortably against his side. He scrubbed the stains with salt from their supplies until he was satisfied and then draped the tunic over a tree branch. His father had taught him a spell for drying clothing on his first long hunt, and he did not have time to wait for it to dry in the sun. He drew his wand and cast the spell, and immediately noticed that the wand felt more powerful. His tunic dried in the half the time he was expecting and it sent a chill up his left arm. He quickly drew it back over his head, and went to find Gus.
“Gus! The spell I just cast was twice as powerful as it should have been! There must be something going on with this wand.”
“Boy, I want that wand to be as powerful as you say it is. The gold that I could make is, well, you can imagine. However, there is nothing special about that wand! It is probably Bridgett's amulet that you are feeling, so let it go.” Gus wrinkled his nose out of frustration and started to walk away.
Osric stepped in front of him. He had to make the old Wand-Maker believe him. “Watch!” He aimed the wand at the wet hems of his breeches and cast the drying spell. To his surprise, it felt the same as it did in the security outpost, the power growth was gone. “I don't understand; it's not there anymore.” Osric looked down at the wand in disappointment, unable to meet Gus' gaze.
Gus' ears twitched for a moment, and then his smug expression returned. “Maybe you need a new spell, eh, boy?” He walked around Osric, leaving him there with his head hanging in shame and confusion.
The rest of the morning went surprisingly smooth. They ate a quick breakfast and bathed in the cold river water before strapping the supplies on the dragon. Pebble amused everyone with his adorable ways, trying to get anyone to play a game he called “I see's something' you's don't.” Gus, however, was not amused, and reminded him harshly that he can't play it with people who don't have the gift. Bridgett, Osric and Kenneth took turns trying to humor him and play anyway. Pebble's response to their dreadful guesses was always, “You's gotsta look, silly.” They would just laugh at his childish logic and try to guess his next target.
The Wand-Maker's Debate: Osric's Wand: Book One Page 8
