Jake, the wagon driver, spoke up at that point and described how he and the Raven Company men had ended up in Buckwoods. He had just finished loading his wagon at the Delta Glassworks when a stranger approached him. The man asked about his destination, and after being told, used a magic device to immobilize Jake and force one of the amulets on him. Under the influence of the amulet's spells, Jake was eager to join his fellow Guardians at Buckwoods and extremely uncomfortable being surrounded by "outsiders" in Delta.
Kefer nodded slowly, a sudden look of comprehension in his eyes. "That explains why Jake was so nervous when Peltor and I first arrived to escort him. We got into Delta a little late, and he was just about ready to leave without us. When he insisted on detouring to Buckwoods, we thought it was odd but figured the side trip had already been cleared with Borlan."
Kefer's features turned grim. "When we arrived at the village, we met Lord Thoron. He used that orb thing on me and someone clobbered Peltor from behind. Lord Thoron put amulets on us both and recruited us to help him defend the village."
Sulana turned to Ebnik. "I'll bet the second man was the one Raleb told us about. Raleb is one of the thieves who were hired to steal your Portal Key. Two weeks was plenty of time for that man to go down to Plains End, hire the thieves, and get back up to Delta to hijack the glass shipment."
"But what's this all about?" Daven asked. "You make it sound like this all fits together somehow."
Sulana compressed her lips and nodded at Daven. "I think it does. Paeter is trying to manufacture a lot of these amulets." Her hand went to her chest and raised her amulet to emphasize the point. "But it was taking too long. They probably scouted for weeks before discovering this village. Buckwoods was just what he needed. The ice house was the perfect work space, and Paeter had a ready supply of vaetra...contributors." She glanced over at Sati, who dropped her gaze to the ground and blushed at the oblique mention of her Contribution Ceremony.
Ebnik agreed with her assessment. "He could never have produced an amulet a day under normal circumstances. He needed a steady supply of vaetra and an efficient means of storing and retrieving it," he said. He looked over at the ice house. "I doubt this arrangement was meant to be permanent. It was probably a prototype. With enough people under his control, he could set up a much more elaborate facility in a more remote location."
As the conversation turned to matters of sorcery, Jake backed away from the group and walked over to his wagon. The wagon had been placed alongside the ice house, so the walls shielded it from damage. Most of the detritus from the roof had landed beyond the wagon. Jake brushed some loose pieces of thatching from the cover tarp and lifted it to see what was left of his shipment. He didn't look too disturbed by what he saw, so I guessed his cargo was not too far short of the ordered amount. The amulets were fairly small, and Lord Thoron couldn't have consumed more than a few of the raw glass blocks.
Meldon watched Jake as well, and then with a glance at me, walked over to help Jake ready the wagon. Sati stayed nearby, but her attention was mostly on the activities of the other villagers.
"What about the ring?" asked Daven, bringing my attention back to the conversation.
Sulana paced as she spoke, her eyes followed the ground but focused on nothing. "The only purpose for these amulets is to control people. Paeter is planning something, and he obviously has help. Whatever he has in mind, he needs the Portal Key so he can quickly move around the region. Maybe he needs to coordinate multiple efforts going on around the empire, or he needs to be able to move into an area with stealth. Or both."
"With a Portal Key, he could move a small force to within easy striking distance of a target. Like the Archives," Ebnik added.
Sulana stopped pacing and stared at Ebnik. "Would he be so bold? He would need a small army of sorcerers to even try taking over the Archives."
Ebnik raised an eyebrow. "He already has help from at least one other sorcerer that we know of."
"What can we do?" she asked. "He got away from us here."
Ebnik shrugged. "There's not much we can do right now. We'll have to alert our contacts around the empire and wait until he surfaces again."
Kefer looked over at the corral, checking the horses and mules that remained. "You can add horse thief to his list of crimes," he grumbled. "My horse and Peltor's are gone. He must have taken mine."
Sulana frowned. "I forgot about this Peltor person. Do you suppose he is still under the Protector enchantment, or did he go willingly?" She looked at me for an answer.
I considered her question for a moment. "In order to sneak out of here without anyone sensing them, they would have to disable the amulets. But I think Peltor would jump at the chance to work with someone less...lawfully-minded than Borlan. Do you agree Kefer?"
Kefer shrugged. Although none of the Raven Company members got along very well with Peltor, Kefer had been the most tolerant of Peltor's dark moods. "I suppose. He wasn't particularly happy at Raven Company, but I don't think he'd be happy anywhere. The promise of power or riches might have convinced him to join whatever cause this Lord Thoron has going."
Ebnik turned to Sati with an apologetic bow. "I'm sorry your village has received such unfortunate treatment from one of our kind. Please understand that we of the Archives actively seek to prevent such interference. Is there anything I can do to help repair some of the damage that has been done here? I could, if you wish, freeze some lake water into blocks you could use to restock your ice house."
Sati looked at Ebnik while she considered his suggestion and then shook her head. "It will be some time before the roof is repaired, and I believe my people have had enough of magic for one lifetime. Your offer is generous, but I doubt it would be well received. Thank you anyway." She walked off to help with the ice house cleanup.
Ebnik shook his head and sighed as she walked away. I knew how he felt. It was hard to undo some kinds of damage.
***
Barek and Talon went to retrieve the horses that were still alongside the road outside the village, leaving Sulana, Daven, Ebnik and me standing near the corral.
Patches whickered for attention, and I walked over to him, reaching across the fence to rub his nose. "We'll be heading back soon, boy," I consoled him. I was relieved that Lord Thoron had chosen Kefer's horse instead of mine for his escape, although I did feel bad for Kefer.
"Is that your plan? To go back home now?" Sulana asked from behind me. She came forward to stand next to me at the corral.
I looked at her and our eyes locked. Her tone had revealed nothing about any feelings that might lie behind her question, but searching her blue eyes, I knew my answer mattered to her. I said nothing for a moment, just taking in her features, my pulse quickening under her attention.
Ebnik looked at the two of us and motioned Daven to come away with him and leave us alone for a moment. Daven turned away reluctantly and followed the old sorcerer.
I watched her closely as I answered. "I think I have to go back." Her face stiffened. "At least for a little while." Her eyes widened a bit. "I have a lot of things to wrap up if I'm going to be gone for an extended time." She looked down and a smile teased at the corners of her mouth.
"Does this mean you're going to the Archives to learn more about sorcery?" This time there was no mistaking the hope in her voice. She looked up at me expectantly.
I nodded. "I can't ignore my abilities, whatever they may be, any longer. Besides, I have a score to settle with Paeter Thoron, and I wouldn't stand a chance against him without being better able to defend myself."
Sulana reached out and touched my forearm. "You can't go after him yourself! Paeter has years of experience, and he has help as well. It will be a long time before you can expect to challenge him."
"I didn't say I'd be going after him alone," I said with a sidelong look at her.
She looked down and blushed. "No, of course not. The Archives will want to stop him from doing anything like this again," she said, gesturing toward the working
villagers. "You do realize that the Archives will probably send a team out as soon as we get a lead on Paeter's whereabouts," she cautioned me. "That could happen before you are ready to join in the hunt."
"Then I'll just have to learn fast." I answered with a smile.
She rolled her eyes. "Oh, sure. It's easy. It's just taken me most of my life to get good enough to lead a team."
I held up my hands in surrender. "Sorry. I was making a joke. I have no idea what I'm getting myself into here. I'm just trying to be optimistic about the future."
She stepped forward, and suddenly our faces were only a few hand-spans apart. "Optimism. That's a good start," she said, her eyes looking steadily into mine.
My breath caught when she stepped forward. Having her so close sent chills from my head to my feet. I had to resist a strong desire to lean forward and kiss her. I smiled at her and found myself saying what my heart felt before I could think about it. "I'm optimistic about a lot of things."
She smiled back, and seemed like she might say more, but she suddenly realized where we were and looked around to locate Ebnik and Daven. They had both been watching us, but quickly looked away when she glanced over at them. Ebnik redirected his attention down the road with a smirk, and Daven looked down at the ground with a frown.
She stepped back from me, and the tightness in my chest faded. I wanted to close the distance between us again, but knew that now was not the time to indulge the impulse. I had a lot of things I needed to deal with before I could even think about a relationship with Sulana. However, the revelation that she might share my interest in exploring that potential gave me added reason to seek training at the Archives where I might stay near her.
***
We bid the villagers farewell before taking our leave. Their responses were mixed. Some thanked us for freeing them from Lord Thoron's bizarre form of slavery. Others practically ignored us, mostly thankful that we were finally going away. All of them were more than willing to hand their amulets over to Ebnik. No one expressed any interest in keeping one as a souvenir.
By the time we had said our goodbyes, the delivery wagon was ready to move on as well. The wagon rolled up alongside me and stopped. Meldon had joined the driver on the bench seat. Kefer rode alongside on Meldon's horse.
Meldon called down to me as they stopped. "Jaylan, I'm going to help Kefer escort the delivery down to Plains End. We'll pick up another horse down there and head back to Northshore as soon as we're done. Do you think Borlan would be okay with that?"
"I'm sure those would be his orders if he were here. When I get back to Northshore, I'll fill him in on what's been happening."
Kefer spoke up. "Thanks. It would be nice if we didn't have to delay the shipment any longer by having to stop and explain on our way down. Jake thinks we have enough cargo left to satisfy the recipient even though we're a little short."
"Don't worry about it. Good luck. And may your trip be uneventful."
All three of them chuckled and the driver flipped his reins to get the draft mule moving again. Kefer and Meldon waved as the wagon rolled off in a clatter of creaking wheels and clopping hooves.
I waved back, wondering when I would see them again. By the time they returned to Northshore, I might very well be on my way to the Archives. I thought about my impending conversation with Borlan. I wondered how he would take the news of what happened here and how it affected my future plans. Then I thought about the much harder conversation I would need to have with Dela. I was certain she would be far less understanding than Borlan.
I collected Patches, leaving the village mule alone once again in the corral that had recently been rather overpopulated with other animals. Patches stood still while I saddled him up. He didn't even play any of his usual games of expanding his chest while I tightened the cinch. I think he was glad to be headed home at last.
I climbed into the saddle and settled myself in. Sulana and her team were already mounted and waiting patiently for me at the head of the road. I urged Patches into a walk and we ambled over to them. I took one last look around the village, thinking how much had changed for me in the short time I had been there. Buckwoods would forever be a place of endings and beginnings for me.
We rode out without another look back.
***
It was nearly dusk by the time we left the village, so our group stopped overnight at a large Imperial Guard camp site between Delta and Northshore. The Imperial Guard maintained large camp sites around the empire, and traveling citizens were welcome to use them when the Guard was not.
We had passed Jake's wagon on the road, but they caught up to us and stopped at the same place. That turned out to be fortunate, because neither Meldon nor I had packed for an overnight stay when we'd left Northshore. It would have been a cold night for me, but the driver had a couple of extra blankets he was willing to share. He also had a two-man tent, so Meldon and Kefer were able to take turns keeping watch and sleeping in relative comfort.
Since we were still traveling together, I split the watch with them, taking the first shift. Meldon curled up next to the fire and promptly fell asleep.
I sat on a log near the fire and stared up at the stars thinking about the future. I looked at my hands, turning them over in the flickering light of the campfire at my back, wondering if these were the hands of a sorcerer. Were my days as a Raven Company man over forever? Would Dela hate me when I told her what I was and that I was leaving? How did one make a living as a sorcerer?
The soft crunch of leaves and needles alerted me to someone approaching the fire from the camp behind me. I stood and turned around to discover Sulana walking over from where her team was camped nearby. Over at their fire, Talon and Ebnik sat near each other and were engaged in quiet conversation.
"May I share your fire for a moment?" Sulana asked me quietly with a smile.
Her features were emphasized by the firelight reflecting off her face, making a halo of her blond hair. Shadows deepened her dimples, and reflections of the firelight danced in her eyes. I was struck by how such a strong woman could have such delicate beauty.
"Please do. I could use the conversation...and the distraction," I said.
She came over and we sat down next to each other with our backs to the fire. "You do have a lot to think about, don't you?"
"Yes, it's more than my poor mind can handle at the moment."
"Anything I can do to help?"
"I don't know. I'm concerned that I might be running away from something, rather than running toward something."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, there's Raven Company. My commitment to Borlan is almost up anyway, so leaving won't be a problem there. He'll be disappointed because he's short-handed right now, but he's used to dealing with that. Since things picked up, the last few jobs have been...harrowing. But that describes a lot of the work I've done in the past, and there's no reason to believe things will get any better if I learn sorcery."
I glanced at her, and she just nodded, letting me go on.
"Then there's the inn and Dela. From the beginning, my role was to be that of a silent partner, but then Dela's father Griz died. I couldn't just leave her and her mother on their own, so I found myself becoming increasingly involved in the running of the inn. That's a job I never wanted. At the same time, Dela decided it was all meant to be. Well, that we were meant to be together. But..."
"You don't love her." Sulana said softly.
My brow furrowed. "No, I do love her, but not like that. I don't want to marry her. I've known her since she was a child, and to me she still is, even though she has grown into a capable woman. I guess...I guess I love her like a sister, but it would break her heart to hear me say that."
Sulana glanced back over her shoulder at her camp site. "I think I understand. Daven and I have known each other since we were both children, and I love him like a brother. I think he wants more from me than I'm able to give."
I snorted. "You think?"
Sh
e gave me a light punch on the arm. "Hey, we're sharing serious stuff here," she protested.
"Sorry. Daven has made his feelings about me abundantly clear since the beginning."
She shrugged. "He's jealous."
I half-turned toward her and looked deeply into her eyes. "Does he have anything to be jealous of?" I asked her seriously.
She returned my stare, keeping a straight face, but her eyes took on a mischievous glint. "You tell me."
I took advantage of the moment to luxuriate in our closeness and her attention. That tingling sensation and tightness in my chest had returned. "I certainly hope so." I slid my hand over to cover hers.
She smiled and turned her hand over and twined her fingers into mine. "There you go being optimistic again. Where there's hope, there's possibility." She broke eye contact and looked down at the ground. "Did it help to talk about what's on your mind?"
I was silent for a moment, looking at her profile, taking in the soft curve of her neck and the firelight glowing in the hair that fell down along her back.
"I think so. Nothing will make it easy, but knowing more about the alternatives is always a good thing."
We sat on the log hand-in-hand through most of my watch. We said little more. Mostly, we just enjoyed the moment of silence and nearness to each other. Having her support eased my fears and gave me courage to face the uncertainties of the future.
Tomorrow would be the beginning of a new day, and for me, a new life.
Acknowledgements
I could not have written this book without the friends and family who helped shape my past and continue to influence my life today. I'd first like to thank my wife, who is my best friend and my #1 supporter. Thanks to my mom Suzanne for always telling me that I can do whatever I set my mind to and for encouraging me to read at an early age. Thanks to my brother Glenn and sister Monique for their enthusiastic support of my fiction-writing goals.
The Vaetra Chronicles: Book 01 - Vaetra Unveiled Page 22
