Enchantress Awakening: Part One of the Book of Water (The Elemental Cycle 1) (11 page)

The letter was less illuminating yet in its own way more intriguing. It was clearly a correspondence between Caerddyn and another wizard of the time named Ranevark. Ranevark was writing in response to questions posed to him in a previous letter. There were references to battles and strife happening at that time and also to a suggestion that the two of them join forces formally. The bit Caleigh was most attracted to was the part Ranevark seemed to find most curious, answering queries about how he realised he was gifted. It was fascinating how his experience seemed to mirror her own. The initial shock at knowing how others felt then slow realisation that he could influence those feelings if he set his mind to it.

His situation was wholly different though, while he, like Caleigh, came from a modest background and taught himself to be literate, the nature of the emotions he could sense were distinct.

Sold into slavery, he was employed as a scribe by one of the wealthy Imperial families of his region. Working in this capacity he often had to write and bear messages from one master to another as well as transcribe details of all their dealings. He came to realise that he could learn secrets very easily and people would often be very willing to confess things to him that they might otherwise keep silent. By such means when the local tribes revolted against the vindictiveness of their rule he was able to supply the chieftains with all the information they needed to expose the corruption in full.

From this point the letter implied that he had become a leading advisor in the ensuing struggle though it did not go into further detail as it did not concern the question he was answering. One latter passage did stand out; however, it referred to how his powers developed beyond the already considerable ability to influence people. He described that after a while he was able to charm fire so that it did not burn when he touched it and water so that he could stay dry when others were drenched.

To her amazement Ranevark went on to suggest that there was a further stage of power beyond this, of which he was only just beginning to appreciate and indeed could only speculate to its eventual ends. Nonetheless, if he was correct in his theories then it could be possible for the supreme Enchanter to charm fate itself to obey his whims.

No more of this was included in the letter that covered several leafs as it was. In any case, Caleigh found these prospects amazing and utterly terrifying in equal measure. She was still hesitant at the thought of controlling others desires the idea of controlling someone’s fate was a thing she could barely contemplate.

The last item, the map, was the easiest to comprehend by far. On it Connlad was marked in small writing. Roughly thirty-five miles north-northeast was Crowbridge, the centre of Cynric’s Earldom. About the same distance again, set within the hills near Sommerwold’s western border, was Elevered. It did not look to be particularly close to anywhere and surrounded by woodland as well as climbs. Then again, if wizards were as hunted as they it seemed, Caleigh reasoned, perhaps it made sense to place their sanctuary somewhere remote.

As she moved to examine it more closely she accidentally nudged the map askew and in doing so noticed something else about Elevered’s location. It was in a perfectly straight line with both the Shrine of Lost Souls and Lake Nimenorn on a south-south eastern heading and with the Great Henge and the ruins of Helmgard, where Albion had once sat enthroned, in an east-south eastern direction. In fact, Caleigh noticed, that if all this points were joined they formed a perfect equilateral triangle. Somehow she doubted that this was a random occurrence, though it was one she could not explain the significance of for now. 

12. Farewell to Connlad

To Caleigh’s disappointment, there were no lessons the following day either as Gideon busied himself with preparations for their departure two days hence. Stranger, she did not run into Penric or Ellie at any point either so she settled for helping Dana pack in between doing her own packing and practising the technique of blocking out magical intrusion when she cleared her mind.

Later, she sat with Sir Marc listening to his advice on how to travel. “From Connlad the best way to get to Elevered is to go by Crowbridge and up into the hills to approach from the south. I know it would appear more direct to go straight to Minerva and take the western road but it is less safe.”

“Is the road perilous?”

“In general, it is not. In your case I think it is better to have fewer days in the wild and better to stop in places where you have friends.”

“I want to see Lord Cynric and Ceolwulf again so in any case I would choose that road.”

“I will assign you a bodyguard for your journey, so you need not be too concerned.”

“My lord you need not…”

“No Caleigh, I do. Gideon is some protection yet he is one person. I think Tovrik would be very disappointed with me if I let you two go without a guard. Moreover, you are the messenger of the White Lady herself. That may well be a more important role than you realise. Even if I put aside my personal fondness for you, it would be foolhardy of me to let you go without adequate precautions. Remember, there is a war coming and I want our side to be victorious and that means protecting you.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

“As I have explained, there is no need for thanks; this is the only wise course. Nevertheless, I thank you for your thanks.” He added with a smile. “We will miss you much.”

“And I you and everyone here, my lord, leaving people behind is my only true sadness.”

“Well, be not too sad. There is much to look forward to as well.”

Thus began Caleigh’s last whole day as a resident of this small and unremarkable Sommerwold town. She observed its start from the window of Robin’s chamber, relishing the feel of breeze on her exposed flesh. When her bed partner stirred and noted where she was he frowned at once. “Caleigh, step away from the window. Someone might see you.”

“I care not.”

“Well I do. I am a married man!” Caleigh turned and glared at him in disapproval.

“It is a bit late to remember that now. I am hardly your first indiscretion.” She said returning to the bed covers. “I would not be here if I thought there was great love between you.”

“No? You would go back to your squire and see if he pleasures you so much?”

“You should not mock him; he will be a great knight one day and in all chance a great lover too. He is simply young; you were in his place once.” Caleigh said patiently. “If you wish me to leave though…”

“No!” Robin answered with far more panic in his voice than he intended. “Forgive me, I am not myself yet.” He said rubbing his eyes to emphasise his sleepiness. “Actually, I will be returning to Crowbridge myself for a while soon. I could ask Sir Marc to let me go early so that I may accompany you.”

“Sir Marc has already arranged for a bodyguard. I doubt he would let there be another.”

“Mayhap I will be granted the honour. He cannot trust Penric to take you that far. He would likely get lost on the way.”

“I asked you not to mock him.” Caleigh said sharply, remembering guiltily that she still had not been able to say goodbye to him. “Why do you hate him? He trains hard, he is always courteous. It cannot be for me because I am here and not with him.”

“I do not hate him, he is just a soft fool who…” Robin trailed off unable to articulate the end of this sentence. Caleigh understood perfectly what he meant; she understood better than he did. It was not through boredom alone that Robin moved all around Cynric’s Earldom training riders while trying to maintain a position in Connlad at the same time. Nor did his attempts to master courtly wit and penchant for bedding noble women speak of a man happy in his status.

“It is not his fault that his father is a knight and yours is not. In his position would you not want to follow the same path?” She posed while starting to dress. “You might never be a knight but you can be a good person if you want. Penric is a good man and he does not deserve your hostility for things out of his control.”

“Please, do not leave. I shall speak ill of him no more.”

“Mistake me not, I am not angry. There is much for me to do today and I must be on. I wish you well.” Caleigh kissed him on the cheek and exited his chamber. She had not meant to be so brisk, in the event it felt like the simplest way to end things. It did trouble her to think she had used him yet he had taken his fill of pleasure from her and for his part used her too. In the end, it was better to leave someone disappointed than heartbroken.

As for the heartbroken she found Penric at last within a short time of leaving Robin’s chamber. He was up early and practising in the training yard. Watching him train Caleigh thought back to what Robin had suggested. His description was unfair; Penric did not expect a knighthood as a due course he had laboured hard so as to one day be worthy of the honour. She felt for Robin too, he had also worked hard and put his life on the line for his liege lords. There was naught wrong in his hoping for a reward for this.

When the straw man had taken sufficient punishment Penric moved over to the weapon’s rack and here Caleigh intercepted him. He looked at her with a far more relaxed smile than she was expecting. “Penric, I am glad I’ve found a chance to speak to you at last. I want you to know…”

“Caleigh, I know what you are going to say and it is not needed.”

“But Penric, I care about you and…” She stopped seeing the amused look on his face.

“I mean that you need not say goodbye at all. Sir Marc chose me to be your bodyguard.”

“That is good, are you sure you want this task?”

“Of course I do and for good reasons. As Sir Marc’s squire it is right that I stand in his place when he cannot go himself. If I am to earn my knighthood this is precisely the kind of task I should do. Most of all, Sir Marc gave me this duty and therefore I am bound to fulfil it.”

“Well, I’m glad you’ll be with us. I am sure we will be quite safe with you around.”

“Hmm, I hope so. Sir Marc is worried; he even considered accompanying you himself. That is why he has arranged for additional protection too.” Penric said finishing with the smile again. 

This left only Ellie to whom she needed say a final goodbye. Knowing that she would have Penric and Dana with her made this parting all the sadder. At least if those two had stayed she would some people to talk to about everything. Since Caleigh had first realised her powers Ellie had been caught up with things too. It was a pity now to part from all the others who had been involved.

“I have decided I cannot leave you behind.” Caleigh announced upon finder her. “If you want I will ask Sir Marc if you can come with us.”

“Alas, Caleigh, you are too late.” Ellie responded serenely.

“I am sure he will listen.” Caleigh stopped there having a strong sense of familiarity with this scene.

“I have already spoken to him and he has agreed to let me go. I had intended to surprise you.” Caleigh hugged her causing Ellie to stumble back with the force. “Hehe, Penric and I have been working on it for the last few days. On the night of the summer feast, the night when you did not return…”

“Forgive me, I fainted.”

“Worry not. Anyway, whilst I was waiting for you Penric and I began talking about your journey and we agreed it would be better if we went with you.”

“Penric said Sir Marc gave him the duty.”

“Yes, and you must promise not to tell him you know otherwise. Sir Marc had intended to go himself but Penric argued that this was a duty for a squire. I then suggested that I should go with you too because there might be times when a man cannot be by your side. I can use a sword and am not afraid of peril.”

“You should be; the journeys ahead may be much worse than our trip to the shrine. Will you not be missed here? I know I was always an extra hand but you were here before I came.”

“Well, I think even then I was…more like an extra finger or thumb.” Ellie laughed. “It matters not because there is a girl called Lily who is very keen to take my place. She works at your parents’ inn. Did you not work together after your parents died?”

“No, until I moved here her family stayed in their own house and only came in to work. She must have stayed at home.”

“Speaking of your parents’ inn…do you still own it?”

“No, it was bought a passing knight who then leased it to the couple who now run it.”

“That was strange.”

“I thought so but it was a very good offer. He insisted that I would retain the right to live there and gave me coin just to carry on as I was. Then Aled and Gwen, Lily’s parents, came in to run the inn.”

“He gave you coin? What did you do with it?”

“I gave some to Aled and Gwen to keep the Horseshoe maintained. I used some to live, most of it I gave to the widows of the last war.”

“You’ve spent it all?”

“All of it that was coin.”

“What does that mean?”

Going back to her previous home always felt strange, against all reason there was always something surprising about seeing it lived in by people other than her parents. In return patrons always regarded her presence as normal for a moment before they remembered that she no longer belonged to these surroundings. “Why do I need to be here?” Penric questioned from behind her.

“I need help carrying something.”

“Why not get Master Gideon to make it fly?” Master Garrick joked from Penric’s shoulder.

“This is no stage trick.” Caleigh said and added to herself, and Master Gideon does not want to show his face here. The reason for this was soon before her in the cheery mood she used to greet customers.

“Hello Caleigh, hello everyone, what would you like today?”

“I’m here for my things.”

“Ah, Dad was going to bring them to you, he’ll be very pleased he doesn’t have to now. Come this way.”  Lily led them out of the tavern area and towards a back room where amongst the miscellaneous items a chest was stored in the bottom right-hand corner of the room. “Is Master Gideon not with you today?” Lily asked pushing an empty crate aside.

“No, he is busy with other things.” Caleigh answered trying not to remember that the last time she saw the two of them in the same place, Lily was naked to the hip, lest it show on her face. “I will leave the rest to you. I wish you a fair journey.”

“Take care of yourself, Lily.”

With just the four of them left they stood over the dark wood container that was roughly two feet long and one foot wide with loose metal handles at either end.

“Could you two lift this outside for me, please?”

“Sure.” Garrick agreed moving to the far end while Penric took the other. Both men stiffened with shock at the weight of the thing as they lifted it. “By the Gods, what’s in this? It feels like rocks.” Garrick asked as they staggered down the hallway towards the back door.

Outside they flung the chest down on the dirt and Caleigh opened the latch and pushed back the lid. Inside the first things on display were pairs of rings and gold chains around a grubby scrap of cloth. Caleigh lifted out the cloth and parted it to reveal a large chunk of amber. “Oooh, that’s pretty.” Ellie exclaimed.

“Well that explains the weight.” Garrick said looking not at what Caleigh held but what was still in the chest. Beneath the jewellery were rows of small iron ingots. “What was your mystery knight doing with this anyway? There’s a small armoury here.”

“He is not a mystery, his name was Sir Edgar. He was from Minerva.”

“Have you heard of him Penric?” Ellie asked.

“I think so, although, if I recall rightly, he heads an obscure Knightly Order.”

“How many Knightly Orders are there?” Caleigh inquired.

“It is hard to say only a handful of them are well-known though.”

“Well, whatever there is a lot of iron here.” Garrick said, bringing them back to the subject in hand. “I’ll take some of it off you; I don’t have the spare coin for all of it. Maybe you’ll find someone in Crowbridge to take the rest.”

“I do not care if you pay me less than it is worth. My main concern is lightening the load for the animals.”

“They will manage, ‘tis better that you keep some. Iron can be easier to trade than gold in some places. As for the jewellery, if you want to sell that you had better speak to the goldsmith.”

“Thank you Garrick.”

“I think you should keep it, Caleigh. You can always trade it later if things are desperate.”

At last all was packed and all preparations had been put in place until there was little left to do but actually set out. Before she put to bed one last time in Connlad Caleigh had time for one more lesson to test what progress she had made with the ‘shield’ spell. Gideon tried invading her mind and she was able to stop any deep penetration by filling her head with thoughts of her most menial and non-emotive chores.