“I almost forgot…Lady Ilena asked to speak to you privately. Nicky, can you get the breakfast plates?” She smiled at Lady Ilena and kissed me on my forehead. Surprised, I could only stare back at her.
“I will help Lady Ilena turn you over when the two of you are ready.”
As soon as the heavy door had closed behind them, I shifted my attention to Lady Ilena.
“I cannot believe how well you are doing,” she commented as she walked to the door and locked it. Picking up the cloth covered tray, she walked back and set it on the table by my bed. “I never expected your aunt would recommend you trying to walk today.”
“I plan to after our talk. Is anything wrong?”
“I want us to try to find out what happened to Raven. I know you’re still weak, but we need to know if you killed her or not. We don’t want her surprising us, again.”
“What did you have planned?”
“I’ve brought some herbs to clear and protect this room. After, we will focus as I showed you.”
While she mixed and lit the herbs in a small bowl, I slowly swung my legs out of the bed and under the small table. My back protested the action but I determinedly ignored it as I struggled to calm and clear my mind as Ilena had thought me prior to casting spells. I couldn’t straighten and slouched over the bed.
The scent of yarrow, agrimony, angelica root and elder berries wafted up from the copper bowl. I inhaled deeply and relaxed more. Lady Ilena poured water from the bedside ewer into a shining copper bowl before clasping my hands.
“We are going to scry. Stare deep into the bowl and focus on that castle where you found Raven. Let yourself flow.”
This was my first scrying attempt though I’d seen Lady Ilena do it a few times. I stared into the shimmering water and visualized the castle I’d followed Raven to. The water disappeared and the forbidding, craggy mountain upon which the citadel perched rose up.
The walls fell away and I found myself in the hallway where Raven and I had fought. I tried to sense Raven’s presence, but the air was stale and musty as if the castle had been deserted for generations. Surprised I could smell, I sniffed the air for Raven’s distinctive perfume. The smell of blood hit me first.
A smear of blood shined on the grey stone wall. Looking around, a few drops of dark blood glistened on the dark wood floor. I followed the trail, drifting up the hall and around a blind corner.
The next hallway stretched before me…empty. I looked down but didn’t see any more blood. Frowning, I opened my senses to see if Raven had cast an illusion to hide herself. I couldn’t sense her.
I closed my eyes and focused on the smell of blood. The corridor was so dark I relied on my nose more than my eyes. I found more drops of blood and followed the trail. I looked into open doorways as I passed but everything was still and empty.
The beads of blood became more frequent and larger. I reached a wide staircase and descended. The warped stairs creaked and torn cobwebs swayed in the air. I shuddered. I hate spiders.
I could no longer smell blood. Blurred light came in from the grimy windows but did little to brighten the dark that pressed down upon me. I strained to detect or hear any movement.
I stood silently. My eyes adjusted enough where I could make out two open doorways and a huge fireplace. Without turning my head, I searched the area trying to discern any shape that didn’t belong.
My eyes focused on a corner where a dark shape seemed to crouch. I watched the blacker area and saw the slightest of movements followed by a whiff of exotic perfume tainted by blood.
‘Ilena, I think I see her in the far corner.’
‘Be careful!’
My hands gathered the shadows, squeezed them and murmured softly. I released the compacted ball that now glowed. It floated to the ceiling and cast more light on the shadowy corner.
A low moan sounded as a thin, bloody arm flew up to block the light. Greasy, black hair fell around a pale face. Maybe I’d injured Raven after all. I started forward when Ilena’s voice sounded in my head.
‘Careful! Haven’t we’ve warned you that women can be the more dangerous sex?’
Shocked that Ilena had come into my vision, I turned and thought I saw her through a haze in my bedroom.
“Look back into the bowl,” she admonished.
Nodding, I immersed myself in the vision vibrating under the still water. I cautiously approached the crumpled figure. The face slowly lifted, revealing Raven’s face but not as I remembered it. Her face had always been pretty in a sharp way but now she looked wizened, aged.
“Come here to gloat?” Raven coughed, phlegm rattling in her throat.
The words eerily reminded me of what her master, Ganthor, had said when I’d gone to his cottage.
“I just wanted to make sure I finished the job.”
“At least, you’re getting smarter…maybe.”
Almost too late, I saw her hands move. Silvesto’s training hadn’t been for nothing. Her casting left her chest exposed. I twisted to the side as I sent a bolt of energy with all the force I had towards her warped heart. A geyser of darkness erupted from her body.
A bright flaring light dropped short of me. Raven’s body slowly slid to the side, thudding heavily onto the stone floor. A thin stream of blood trickled from her mouth.
Raven had fooled me before. I visualized a silver knife and gathered all my power to run the knife across Raven’s throat. Bright red blood poured from the wound. Raven’s essence began to leave her body as a grey mist. Ilena must have called my name several times before her voice broke through my stupor.
“Conran, use her essence to heal your body more quickly!”
“It’s too risky,” I thought.
“You conquered the darkness before and you can again. Use the link to your body and do it! Trust me!”
I did trust Ilena, so I reached out to Raven’s departing magic. I sifted through the essence, absorbing the strength before sending it back to my body. Power surged through me.
Distantly, I heard Ilena calling. I forced myself back. Slowly, I straightened from the scrying bowl. The excruciating back pain was gone. I looked up to see Ilena watching me anxiously.
“How are you?”
“Better,” I answered shortly. Abashed at my curtness, I forced a smile. “So much has happened so quickly, I need time to adjust.”
“I understand. I will send Silvesto and two men to take care of Raven’s body.”
“I want to go with them. I know where there is a crossroads with running water to bury her at. I need to make sure she doesn’t come back from this.”
“You may be feeling better but I doubt you are up for a two day ride. I will join them. You need to stay here and recuperate more.”
“But I feel much better!” I argued. “You know what I’ve done,” I said in a lower voice.
She nodded in response before saying earnestly, “We don’t know all the effects. There is no need to risk your recovery. I can handle Raven’s body. I will take Silvesto, and instruct your aunt and Nicky to ensure you do not over exert yourself while we’re gone.”
I started to protest but the steel in her violet eyes stilled any argument. I swung my legs back up and under the bedding. Reluctantly, I laid back.
“Will I be allowed out of bed while you are gone?”
“Of course, but listen to your body if anything feels amiss.”
“The only thing feeling amiss is being treated as a child,” I grumbled.
Ilena laughed. “I guess it does feel that way. I just don’t want you impeding your recovery. Perhaps I do baby you too much. Would you like to try walking now?”
“I would,” I declared as I threw the coverlet back and swung out of the high bed. I pushed the table to the side with a hair-raising screech across the wood floor.
“Slowly!”
Nodding, I eased myself onto the edge of the bed and slowly stood. Ilena grasped my left arm to steady me. No wave of dizziness hit, so I took one slow step, then
another. Smiling, I carefully crossed the room and turned back.
“I feel great. I can’t believe I couldn’t even move the last few days!”
“Raven finally returned the favor you did her,” Lady Ilena said dryly.
“Too bad it was unwilling and at the cost of her life,” I responded softly.
“You had no choice, Conran.”
“I know. It doesn’t make it easier.”
I turned away to ostensibly practice walking but actually to hide my emotions.
Chapter 3
Warm light heating my face woke me. I squinted against the bright sunlight streaming in the window. The previous day had been a long one. I had fallen into an immediate, deep sleep; largely due to exertion and stress.
I sat up and cautiously stretched. There was no pain or even soreness. Evidently, the power I’d taken from Raven had completely healed me. I wondered how I would explain it to my aunt. As if she heard my thoughts, there was a soft knock at the door that I recognized.
“Come in, Aunt Elaine.”
My aunt pushed the door open, carrying a wooden tray laden with bandages and a bowl of water. She didn’t ask how I knew it was her, but she shot me an odd look before setting the tray on the small table by my bed.
“It is good to see some color in your face. How are you?”
“I feel so much better with no pain or soreness.”
Her forehead crinkled in confusion.
“Ilena said you walked yesterday, too. My talents are not that good! You must have incredible recuperative power. Sit up so I can check your back.”
Obediently, I sat up and lifted my shirt for her examination. She carefully peeled the bandages off but a couple stuck. I hissed as the skin stuck to the linen and pulled away. I felt her gently prodding me.
“Can you feel that?”
“Yes but it doesn’t hurt.”
“And, this?”
“Feels fine.”
She continued pressing and pushing along my spine before moving around to face me, her hands on her hips.
“The swelling is gone. Would you like to tell me what you did?”
“What do you mean?” I answered, assuming my most innocent expression.
“Don’t take me for a fool, Conran.”
I pulled my shirt down and took my time straightening it to buy myself some time before answering.
“Conran, I smelled burning herbs yesterday, and Lady Ilena looked pale when she left your room while you slept the rest of the day. Are you dabbling in black magic?”
“No, Aunt Elaine.”
“But…?”
“Do you remember my telling you about Raven?” At her nod, I continued. “Lady Ilena helped me to find her and finish it. She plans to leave today with some of the men to bury her.”
“When did this happen?”
“Yesterday. She showed me how to scry and I think my spirit was able to go to where Raven was,” I responded in a low voice in case anyone passed by my door. “I saw no choice but to finish her. I hate killing.”
“From what you said about her, it sounds the best course of action. What does this have to do with your healing?”
“I’m not sure how to explain it, except that I used her power to heal myself.”
Her hand trembled as she handed a cup of tea to me. I looked at her in concern.
“What is wrong, Aunt Elaine?”
“I have just realized how powerful you are. It is a little jarring for me.”
Tentatively, I laid my hand on hers. I silently prayed that she wouldn’t turn away from me in fear as so many others had. I felt a moment of uncertainty until Aunt Elaine laid her right hand over mine and squeezed.
“Thank you for coming here to help me. You will never know how scared I was to think I would be paralyzed for the rest of my life.”
“I can understand, and you’re welcome. I think I…”
A loud banging at the front door interrupted her. We looked at each other in puzzlement. Loud boots clomped up the hall towards my room and stopped before my door. Aunt Elaine was already standing when a firm rapping sounded on the oak door.
“Come in,” I said loudly.
A short, rotund man with jet black hair and piercing, dark eyes entered, stopped short and bowed deeply. His olive face glistened and the word that immediately came to mind was ‘oily’.
“Salve, I am Doctor Frederico Carrizo, premier physician to the court. King Stefano was concerned when he received your message and sent me to tend you.”
I tried to maintain eye contact but my gaze kept wandering to an odd porcelain jar that hung from an elaborate leather strap. The word sanguisughe was elaborately written in bold black letters. It vaguely reminded me of something but I couldn’t recall what.
“What is in your jar?”
“Ah, some of my treasures. I am uncertain of the English word but it is sangsues in French. I believe you are fluent in French?”
“Not as fluent as I would like, but…” I struggled to decipher the word. In a horrifying flash, it came to me. I tried to hide my shudder as I said, “we call them leeches in English.”
I glanced at my aunt and saw her matching consternation.
“I brought them to treat you.”
While I struggled to come up with a polite way to decline, my aunt smoothly intervened.
“My nephew has made an incredible recovery. He just needs to rest and let his body continue to recover.”
“He is better than I expected,” he responded softly, unable to hide his disappointment. He stroked his leech container fondly. “Perhaps Signore Conran would allow me to bleed him to further hasten his recovery?”
Before I had time to reject Dr. Carrizo’s offer, Aunt Elaine declined on my behalf.
“Regrettably, I worry any loss of blood will counteract the herbal treatments I have given my nephew. Certainly, you would not want his progress impeded?”
“Of course not, Mistress…?”
“Elaine Cooper. You must be tired, please have a seat. I will have some tea brought in. Are you hungry?”
She pulled the chair away from my bed and slid it before the small table near the middle of the room. My aunt quickly removed the tray of old bandages.
“It has been a tiring journey and food would be most welcome,” Dr. Carrizo said with a thankful smile though there was confusion in his eyes.
“I will be right back.”
Aunt Elaine smiled reassuringly at me before leaving. Dr. Carrizo and I sat in silence. Nervously, I pulled at the bedclothes. I wished I’d had time to dress before facing the doctor of the court I was to become a diplomat at.
“It was good of King Stefano to send you to help me. I hope your journey wasn’t too arduous.”
Dr. Carrizo leaned back in the chair and groaned dramatically.
“Such pitted and jarring roads! And last night’s lodging was barely adequate.” He sighed melodramatically. “Such a dirty, backward country. It will be so good to return to proper culture.”
I hid my irritation at his disparaging of my country. I would be taking residence at the Florenza Court and needed to learn what I could from the unlikeable, oily man.
“What is Florenza Court like?”
“È magnifico!” Remembering himself, he corrected himself. “It is magnificent! The buildings are magnificent and the people are magnificent! All the people I have seen on travel through this country dress as paupers.”
Dr. Carrizo frowned as he stared at me.
“Show me your clothes!”
“I didn’t have time to dress before you arrived, if that is what you mean.”
“No, I must see your wardrobe. It will not do for you to arrive looking like a peasant.”
Looking at Carrizo’s dusty dark clothes, I doubted my wardrobe would be found inadequate. However, I forced myself out of bed. I was relieved I kept my balance and didn’t wobble as I stood. I didn’t want to risk further threats of bleeding.
I pulled the wardrobe doors
open and pulled out the simple shirt and pants I planned to wear. I felt the Italian doctor’s breath, so I stepped back to give him access to my wardrobe. Dr. Carrizo immediately pulled drawers open, shamelessly rummaging and pushing through both my folded and hanging clothes. I cringed at his thoughtless violation and hoped he hadn’t handled the leeches before entering my room.
I quickly dressed as he made several incomprehensible sounds. I couldn’t tell if he approved or disapproved of what he found. I straightened the bedclothes before sitting at the small table.
Aunt Elaine entered with a steaming teapot perched on a tray next to a short stack of crumpets and marmalade. She glanced at Dr. Carrizo who seemed to have finished his fervent perusal. Turning back to me, she raised an eyebrow in question.
“He is checking to see if my clothing is appropriate for the magnificent court of Florenza.”
Her eyebrow rose even higher, exceeding normal expectation.
In a lower voice, I added, “you should have heard him disparage our country and extol the magnificent court, the magnificent people with their magnificent clothes. We dress like peasants according to him.”
“Please accept my humble apologies, Signore Conran. I am clumsy and do not always think of the effect of my words.”
Embarrassed that he’d heard me, I quickly turned around.
“I accept your apology and deeply regret you overheard me.” At a sharp look from my aunt – so much like Mother’s – I quickly added, “I never should have gotten so offended and complained aloud. It’s unpardonable.”
“I understand. I would be most disappointed if you did not approve my country.”
I’m sure my rueful smile matched his. To my shock, he stepped forward, firmly grasped both my shoulders in his hands and kissed me on both checks. I was too startled to say or do anything as he stepped back, almost clicking his heels.
“Umm - do you think my wardrobe is sufficient? I don’t want to cast dishonor on King Drexel and his court.”
The Sigil of Sobek: Book 2 The Chronicles of Conran Page 3
