by Zales, Dima
Once Kelvin and Furak arrived, the vote began.
It was a custom as old as the office of the Sorcerer Council itself. Each Councilor had a voting stone that would need to be teleported into one of the voting boxes—red box for Yes, blue one for No. The boxes stood on the Scales of Justice in the middle of the large marble table. When the vote was complete, the weight of the stones would force the Scales to tip in whichever direction the vote was leaning. Afterwards, each of the voting stones would get summoned back to its original owner.
The process was supposed to be both fair and anonymous, and Augusta wondered again how Blaise had learned how she’d voted at his brother’s trial.
Ganir sat there silently instead of addressing everyone like he usually did. Looking away from him, Augusta caught Jandison’s gaze. He gave her a barely perceptible nod and got up.
“Those in favor of taking action against the creature, vote Yes,” Jandison said, addressing the Council in a loud voice. “If we get a No vote, we will discuss what the next option will be.”
Perfect, Augusta thought. The choices were something unknown versus a clearly defined action. It was human nature to avoid uncertainty. Jandison really was completely on her side, and for the first time, Augusta wondered if he did have what it took to lead the Council in Ganir’s stead.
At Jandison’s signal, she teleported her voting stone into the red box and waited, holding her breath. A few seconds later, the Scales of Justice tipped, the red box lowering under the weight of the stones.
The fate of Blaise’s abomination was sealed.
“It’s done,” Jandison said. “We’ll reconvene to decide what our next move should be.”
The expression on Ganir’s face was frightening in its stillness. Augusta could sense the fury burning within him, but he didn’t say anything to anyone.
Instead, the Council Leader got up and left the room.
* * *
Exhausted but triumphant, Augusta made her way back to her quarters. Entering her bedroom, she began to disrobe wearily, desperately needing some rest. There was still a lot to be done—spells to be written, plans to be solidified—but right now, Augusta was only capable of collapsing on her bed.
Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a flicker of movement. Whirling around in panic, she stared at the dark shadow in the corner, her heart climbing into her throat.
Before she could even begin to chant a protective spell, the figure stood up and stepped into the light.
It was Barson—the man she’d thought she lost.
Chapter 13: Gala
Waking up the next morning, Gala tried to remember her dream, but the specifics of it eluded her. All she could recall was a feeling of curiosity and awe, as though she’d learned something amazing.
Getting up, she became aware that she was alone in the tent—and that she could hear excited chatter outside. Straightening her hair and clothes, she stepped out of the tent, intrigued by the little tidbits she’d managed to overhear.
“Did you say ‘bearwolves?’” she asked, approaching a small group that included Maya, Esther, Blaise, and a few of the hunters.
“Oh, yes, Gala, you will not believe what happened,” Esther exclaimed. “We were attacked last night by these . . . these creatures!”
“What creatures?” Gala stared at them in surprise.
“These wolf-bear hybrids that some sorcerer created a long time ago. They apparently prospered in the Dark Woods,” Maya said, her voice filled with fearful excitement. “From the way the men described them, we are lucky that Blaise was standing watch and heard them before they got to our camp—”
“I’m sure they wouldn’t have attacked such a large camp,” Blaise broke in, looking uncomfortable. “And besides, everyone participated in scaring them off.”
“Yes,” Kostya said, coming up to the group. “But it was your spell that made it possible. And I wouldn’t be too sure that they wouldn’t have attacked the camp. We’ve had interactions with these beasts before, and it’s never ended well. They’re bold, these creatures, and a single animal has been known to kill upwards of five men. With a pack that large, they could’ve destroyed half of our village.”
Blaise still appeared reluctant to take credit for whatever it was that occurred last night. “I’m just glad I could help,” he told Kostya. “And if there is anything I can do to help protect your village from future danger, please let me know. Maybe there are some spells I could implement to keep these beasts away from your settlement.”
“That would be great,” Kostya said, apparently no longer as wary of sorcery. “We would appreciate it.”
Burning with curiosity, Gala looked at the group. “What are these bearwolves?” she asked. “What happened? Please, tell me the whole story.”
And for the next twenty minutes, she listened in shock as the hunters described their nighttime adventures and the inventive way Blaise defended them from the creatures. “Why didn’t you wake me?” she asked Blaise. “Surely I could’ve helped—”
“No.” He shook his head. “You’ve been through enough. I was not about to put you in danger again—not if I could help it.”
Gala stared at him, unsure how she felt about Blaise’s protectiveness. “But you were in danger yourself,” she protested. “You and the rest of the people here—”
“Gala . . .” Blaise stepped closer to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “I was able to handle it, all right? Please, don’t worry about it. It’s over. Let’s just pack up and get to the village before we have to spend another night here.”
And with that, he lowered his arms and walked off to join the men who were disassembling the tents, leaving Gala frowning after him.
* * *
It took them several hours to finally reach Alania. If not for the chance meeting with these men, Gala doubted they would have ever stumbled upon these dwellings. The houses were small and hidden among the trees, blending into the landscape so well that they were almost invisible. They were generally made of wood, with roofs that were covered with vines and other types of plants. There were no fields of any kind surrounding the village, and Gala didn’t see any signs of domesticated animals. As Kostya had told them, hunting and gathering fed the village.
When they reached a larger dwelling in the center of the village, Kostya announced that it was his home. “That’s my wife, Liva,” he said, stepping inside and gesturing toward a stocky woman sitting at the kitchen table.
Surprised, Liva stood up. “Who are these people?” she asked her husband, eying them with curiosity.
“Liva, please meet Esther, Gala, Maya and Blaise,” he answered. “We met them in the forest and invited them to join us here, in Alania.”
A welcoming smile appeared on Liva’s broad face in response. “Oh, more refugees? Excellent! Glad you were able to make it through the woods. The last time someone came here was that lovely young woman, Ara—and that was almost two years ago.”
“They’re not exactly refugees,” Kostya said. “You’ve heard of Blaise, haven’t you?”
Liva frowned. “Blaise? As in, the sorcerer?”
“That’s the one,” Kostya said. “These people are his companions.”
“Oh.” Liva seemed nonplussed for a moment, then recovered quickly. “Well, regardless, welcome. We are pleased to have you here. I trust that you had a good journey?”
“We did,” Blaise said, smiling at her. “And thank you for offering us your hospitality. I can assure you that I mean you no harm.”
“I figured as much,” Liva said calmly. “Otherwise Kostya wouldn’t have brought you here. Can I offer you something to eat?”
“I’m not hungry, thank you,” Blaise said. “But I’m sure Gala, Esther, and Maya would appreciate a meal.”
“Thank you, we would,” Esther said. “And you should eat too, Blaise. Liva, can I help you prepare something?”
“Wife, I need to go out on a hunt again,” Kostya interrupted. “Is it all
right if I leave our visitors with you?”
“Of course. I’ll take care of them.” Liva made a shooing motion toward the door, and Kostya swiftly exited the house. Gala got the impression he was uncomfortable dealing with so many guests and preferred to leave that task to his wife.
As soon as he was gone, Liva turned toward Esther. “I would welcome some help,” she said with a smile, answering Esther’s earlier question. “I never turn down an offer of another pair of hands in the kitchen.”
“Excellent,” Maya jumped in. “Then let me offer my services as well.” And before a minute had passed, all three women were companionably cutting up some roots and vegetables and throwing them in a skillet coated with something that smelled like fried meat.
Gala remained silent, quietly observing everything. She was fascinated by these people and their way of life. There was also something in the house that made her feel strange. It wasn’t long before she realized that she was sensing a spell of some kind. She didn’t know what the spell was supposed to do, but she could feel it in the room.
“What’s that spell you’re using?” she asked Liva, speaking for the first time. She assumed it was Liva doing it, since Blaise hadn’t had a chance to write or say anything.
Liva turned toward her slowly. “Whatever do you mean, child?” she asked, as though she didn’t know. However, her pupils were dilated, and Gala saw her fingers twitch slightly. These were signs that she wasn’t being truthful, Gala guessed. Did Liva feel uncomfortable with the topic?
Gala thought about changing the subject to accommodate the woman, but she was too curious. “Is the spell intended to lift people’s spirits or cure minor ills?” she persisted, trying to figure out what exactly she was feeling.
Liva looked both amazed and scared. “How do you know this?” she asked, staring at Gala in awe.
Gala shrugged, uncertain of how to explain it. She could feel spells sometimes, as if a part of her was attuned to the changes in the fabric of the Physical Realm that resulted from sorcery.
“Are you a sorceress?” Blaise asked Liva, regarding their hostess with surprise.
“I’m not a sorceress,” Liva denied. “I just dabble with some spells, that’s all. No one knows about it—not even my husband.” She paused, giving Blaise and Gala a pleading look. “And I would like to keep it that way, if you don’t mind. Sorcerers are not exactly liked around these parts.”
“Oh, don’t worry,” Maya said reassuringly. “We’ll keep your secret. I don’t know why you feel the need to conceal your gift, but we respect your right to do so.”
“Yes, we do,” Esther chimed in, and Gala and Blaise nodded their agreement.
“Good.” Apparently considering the matter closed, Liva went back to chopping the vegetables.
Now it was Blaise who couldn’t restrain his curiosity. “But how did you learn?” he asked, studying Liva. “I’ve never met anyone who simply dabbles in sorcery.”
“I learned from my father,” Liva explained, stirring the vegetables in the skillet. There was a hint of nostalgia in her voice. “He was an apprentice who got his arm blown off during his first test in the Tower. He also injured another apprentice. To punish him, they made him perform menial tasks around the Tower, and he chose to leave instead. He had a lot of pride, my father did. He continued learning some spells on his own, and even though he wasn’t very good, he still taught me some things in secret.”
“Why didn’t your father take you to the Tower then?” Blaise asked, frowning. “If you had an aptitude for sorcery, then you could’ve become an acolyte.”
“By the time he started teaching me, we were already here, far away from the Tower. Besides, he hated them, and he wouldn’t have been happy if I’d left to go to Turingrad. Not that I would have—it’s a miracle we made it here safely in the first place.” And she busied herself with food preparations, looking uncomfortable with the topic.
“Can I help?” Gala asked, approaching the woman. From her time at the inn, she knew how to cook, and she wanted to lend a hand if Liva allowed it.
Liva shot her a wary look. “If you want, child. Are you a sorceress, like this one here?” She jerked her chin toward Blaise.
“Something like that,” Gala murmured, starting to chop up mushrooms. “I’m not very good, though—”
“Not very good?” Esther snorted. “Right, sure.”
“I’m still learning,” Gala insisted, and Blaise frowned at Esther in warning, causing the old woman to fall silent. Blaise didn’t want these people to know about Gala’s unpredictable powers, Gala realized, and she was in agreement with that decision. Given what had happened before, she understood the importance of discretion now, and she was determined to do her best to fit in at this new place.
“So you gathered all these plants in the woods?” Maya asked, changing the subject, and the older women began discussing the best ways to find edible mushrooms. Listening to them, Gala worked quietly, not wanting to draw any more attention to herself.
Before long, the meal was ready.
They sat down to eat at a large wooden table. “Your house is quite large for the two of you,” Blaise remarked, noticing that the table had room for six people.
“It seems large now—” Liva smiled, “—but when our three sons lived with us, it was quite crowded. The boys have now grown up and married, living in houses of their own, so we have some extra room.”
“The food is wonderful,” Gala said as they began to eat. “I’ve never had anything so delicious before.” And it was true—even Esther’s stew paled in comparison to the rich, hearty mix of flavors she was tasting now.
“The food is fresher than what you would get back in the territories,” Liva explained. “The soil here has not been abused as much.”
“Plus she’s probably famished,” Esther muttered, shooting Gala a frosty look. Gala blinked, startled, and then she realized that she had inadvertently offended the woman who had fed her several times.
“Your stew was delightful too,” she reassured Esther, trying to make up for her blunder. “And you’re right—I’m very, very hungry.”
Esther’s expression thawed out. “I know, child. And the food here is pretty good, I must admit. Look, even Blaise is eating.”
Turning to look at her creator, Gala noticed that he was wolfing down the dishes with signs of obvious enjoyment.
When they were done, Gala felt comfortably full and relaxed. Before long, she began to get sleepy and was overcome by a yawn.
“You must all be tired from your journey,” Liva said. “I have two extra rooms.” She paused, looking at Blaise and Gala. “Perhaps the two of you can share one, and Maya and Esther can take the other?”
Blaise looked taken aback, but Gala liked that idea quite a bit. “Sure,” she said brightly. “I’d love to sleep with Blaise.” The idea of sleeping near her creator was very appealing to her.
Maya and Esther burst out laughing, and Blaise looked uncomfortable for some reason. Liva grinned. Gala frowned at them, unsure what she’d done wrong this time.
“Sure you would, child,” Maya said after a bit, wiping away tears of laughter. “If I were young like you, I would too.”
“Of course you would, you strumpet . . .” Esther looked like she would die from laughter.
“Strumpet?” Gala asked, her frown deepening—and then it hit her. In the books she’d read, sometimes ‘sleeping’ was used as a euphemism for sexual relations. They must’ve thought she wanted that with Blaise.
They weren’t necessarily wrong, but that wasn’t what she meant. She had a feeling, though, that if she tried to explain herself, she would just make things worse. One didn’t admit to wanting sex so bluntly, she knew that much, and she felt slightly embarrassed that she had inadvertently broken that societal taboo.
At that moment, Blaise stepped into the conversation. “That’s enough,” he said quietly, his serious tone cutting through the hilarity that reigned in the room. “Gala is tired, and w
e need to rest. Liva, thank you for your hospitality, and we’d love to take you up on your offer of the room.”
And with that, he followed Liva toward the back of the house, with Gala gratefully trailing in their wake, even as Maya and Esther resumed laughing at the kitchen table.
When they reached the room, Liva pointed out the bed—a straw-filled mattress on the floor—and quickly departed, stifling a smile.
Gala yawned again, feeling tired, and Blaise turned toward her. “Gala,” he said softly, reaching out to touch her cheek lightly with his fingers, “let’s go to sleep, all right?”
She nodded, her lids growing heavy. As intrigued as she was by the possibility of sex with Blaise, at the moment sleep was quite appealing too.
Blaise stepped away, taking off his shoes and outer tunic, then sat down on the bed. Gala followed his example, joining him there. Yawning, she lay down and saw Blaise stretch out beside her. In the last few moments before she was overcome by sleep, she felt him put his arm around her, drawing her closer . . . and then she slept, warm and content in his embrace.
* * *
When she woke up, Blaise was already gone. Entering the kitchen, Gala saw him sitting at the table, talking to Liva.
“Good morning,” he said warmly, seeing Gala come into the room. “Come have breakfast, and then we can maybe go for a walk, see the surrounding areas.”
Gala grinned at him, excited at the idea, and began eating the berries Liva had prepared for breakfast. Now that she wasn’t so tired, she couldn’t wait to spend more time with Blaise.
A few minutes later, she was done with breakfast and ready to explore.
Exiting the house, Gala and Blaise walked down a broad path made by the villagers. It was a street of sorts, the only street in the village. After passing a few houses, they turned off the main path and headed into the woods.
