Enchantress Awakening: Part One of the Book of Water (The Elemental Cycle 1) (28 page)

“You stole from a friend of ours. We sought to recover what you took.” Vaughn answered evenly.

“Your friend...the wand maker?”

“Yes.”

“We did not know there were Cruxiars here. We will help your mother, you need not worry.” Caleigh said.

“Caleigh, we need not justify ourselves. He did not have to steal.”

“They are not your allies then?”

“No, we are from Elevered, do you know of it?”

“Yes, my mother said ‘tis a place for scholars.”

“It is and also for people like you, like us. How long have you had your gift?”

“I know not for sure. My family line is of druids. A number of people who live in Stonecairn have druid ancestors. Living here you feel the effect of the stones. I know in many places our kind are treated unkindly, that is not so here. Or it was not so until the Cruxiars settled back in Helmgard. I know I should’ve been more careful but my mother is not merely sick; she was poisoned. That’s why I needed magical materials.” Cedric looked over at Caleigh and his expression softened. “I know not why I’m telling you this but if the Cruxiars are to punish me I should like someone to know my reasons and I am doubtful they will care to hearken to my words.”

“You can trust us.”

“I believe you, though I cannot say why. What was I telling you? Yes, I have had my gift for a few years now. My mother says Stonecairn used to be a travel point for wizards from all around. Maybe that is why I learned to move from one place to another.”

“Why do you not use your skill now to escape?” Cedric forced his chin down and tried to interfere with the bandage around his throat. Caleigh stepped to him and pulled in down, revealing a chain with a silver circled cross on it.

“It saps my reserves when I try. Besides, these Cruxiars seem to know how to stop me using my gift. If I could get outside they would bring me back in again.” Before Caleigh could make further suggestions the door to the cell was flung open and there stood a soldier in a suit of mail such as Sir Edgar’s men wore. Over his chest and legs he wore a white surcoat with a red circled cross on it, a reverse of the colours shown at the monastery by the Shrine of Lost Souls. Despite their protests he swiftly conducted Caleigh and Vaughn out of the guard house leaving them to return to the inn where the rest of the party had gathered.

They were sitting awaiting them in the tavern room in increased numbers having been joined by Dana, Aethelbald and Rosamund. Diarmund explained at once. “I went back to Elevered to fetch some remedies and I thought Dana would be able to help me.”

“Cedric’s mother is recovering now.” Dana reassured.

“And whilst I was there, this one.” Diarmund said pointing to Aethelbald, “insisted on joining us.”

“I thought it sounded interesting.”

“So then Rosamund came along to keep him out of trouble, I suspect.”

“That is partly true” Rosamund agreed, “but mostly we are here to reassure Penric and Ellie. When they heard that you were mixed up with the Cruxiars they wanted to ride up here after you.”

“Penric said ‘tis only a day’s ride.” Aethelbald added.

“By which time everything here will be over, hopefully.” Caleigh finished. “Still, I love them for trying and I’m grateful that you came here for their sake and mine.”

“So how goes it with the Cruxiars?” Diarmund asked.

“They said they would send a message to their chapter master and he may listen to our plea.” Caleigh relayed.

“These colours still hold some sway.” Vaughn said gesturing to his outer robes.

“And what if they do not listen?” Dana posed.

“Then we shall try to find out what punishment lies in wait for Cedric and if it is cruel in excess try to prevent it.”

Contrary to Dana’s fear the knights did return and presented themselves at the inn asking to see Caleigh and Vaughn and then to their great surprise, bringing them by horse up the hills to the ruins of Helmgard where they were housed. Caleigh was stunned by the sight, Helmgard was abandoned only forty years ago and yet it looked like a ruin of centuries. Only in the section where the Cruxiars had begun repairs were there not any gaping holes in the masonry. For all that, what remained spoke of a castle far greater than Connlad or Elevered put together. “I wish Tovrik were with us.” Caleigh commented as they waited outside the Chapter Master’s hall.

“He has other burdens beside ours.” Vaughn returned. “But I’d be glad to have him here too.”

“I was not thinking for our task, I merely wonder what he would say to what has befallen this place.”

“I know not if Tovrik ever came here. He would’ve been quite young when Albion died.” Caleigh looked quizzically at Vaughn. “Did I say something strange?”

“No, nothing.” Caleigh covered suddenly remembering that Vaughn was not aware of Caerddyn’s secret. The knights returned to save her from further interrogation, bringing them through to a rectangular hall with sturdy supports along the walls and a banquet table set out before them. At the far end of the room, was a pale grey stone statue of the blessed White Lady wearing all-covering robes. Caleigh couldn’t help but think how this jarred with what she had seen Loreliath wear and wondered how these knights would react to seeing their idol in this way. The two knights, who had brought them in, assumed positions by the supports in line with two other knights standing nearer the head of the table while at the head itself the Chapter Master stood almost directly in front of the statue.

The Chapter Master was a broad man with a full beard and dark hair that hung down to his shoulders. Like the others he was arrayed in mail and white surcoat with the addition of a white cloak that also bore the design of a red cross centred with a circle. “Well met friends.” He boomed. “I am Sir Oswald Hornwood and I am the Chapter Master of the Knights of the Cross housed here at Helmgard. You are, Vaughn and Caleigh, I believe. Please, take a seat.” Vaughn and Caleigh sat down at the near end of the table facing across from the chapter master. “Is this your first time in Helmgard?”

“Yes, it is.” Caleigh answered. “It is not as I expected.”

“You mean it is a wreck that fits not with the great place from the tales of Albion?” Sir Oswald posed with a laugh. “Alas, the fire destroyed much and war and pillage did the rest. When the Kingdom failed many lords fought over this land until it became Sommerwald. The stone from these walls likely has found a home in a dozen castles now. But come, we should eat and speak when our bellies are full.” Once he was sated Oswald pushed his plate away and looked upon them with a less jovial air than before. “Tell me then, why do you wish to speak for a thief? You cannot dispute his guilt when, from my reports, he stole also from you and was brought to justice by your efforts.”

“We do not dispute that he stole; only that this wrong is worse than the other choice he faced. His mother was poisoned and all that he stole was simply to try and make a remedy for her affliction.”

“That may be so. You strike me as true so I will not gainsay your words. All the same, theft is but one of his crimes and were it the only one we would let the people of Stonecairn mete out whatever justice they deem fit. Our concern is that he used witchcraft in these thefts and he is therefore a blight on all good people. If you doubt this I ask you to survey these ruins for this was the consequence of witchcraft used as a knife to the heart of our kingdom. We cannot show tolerance for such abuses.”

“You use the word witchcraft blindly and without fair distinction.” Vaughn rebuked. “This boy hasn’t killed anyone nor intended any harm.”

“Theft is harm enough and, trust me, I do not use my words without distinction. The only reason I am prepared to hear your case is because you wear the colours of Librarians. Mistake me not, I know what you are and it is out of the utmost respect to your Order and to the memory of Caerddyn that I make the distinction between you and users of witchcraft. Accordingly, my tolerance extends                                                                                                                                  only to members of your Order, the boy does not wear your colours ergo he has no share of my tolerance.”

“So if he is one of us he is a wizard and if not he is a witch?” Caleigh asked.

“It is as you say.”

“Then he is one of us. He belongs to our Order. We did not mention earlier because we did not know the favour you held towards our number, now that is clear we can share this with you.” A shimmering barrier came between Oswald and Caleigh’s charm preventing it from touching the chapter master. A sad smile crossed Oswald’s face.

“And you dispute the boy is guilty of harm? See how he turns you, an honest member of a trusted Order, into a liar prepared to use magic for an ill purpose. This is why the corrupt must be punished else their contagion will spread to all folk.”

“If we cannot avail you to show mercy can we at least ask what his punishment is to be?”

“There is only one way to stop corruption’s spread; it must be purified at the source.”

“How is it purified?”

“Why, it must be consumed with fire of course.”

“You mean to burn him?”

“And his spirit will come to the otherworld clean and thus can he be reborn without the scars of sin.”

“May I ask something?” Vaughn requested.

“By all means.”

“If you intended to show no tolerance and are convinced that burning the boy is the only choice, why did you agree to meet with us?”

“I did so in part to show my respect to your Order and I hoped to convince you that my course is just.”

“And the other part?”

“You of Elevered are resourceful folk, and I would guess likely to interfere if you deem something awry. I cannot let that happen. You will stay here until the fire has burned its last.” Vaughn and Caleigh leapt to their feet and without needing to confer both drew their wands. The four knights about the walls moved forward to restrain them. Vaughn directed his wand at Oswald threateningly.

“Tell your men to stand aside!”

“No.” Vaughn shot a shudder spark at Oswald and watched as it flew close then veered away into the statue like it had been sucked by a huge inhale. In unison Vaughn and Caleigh turned their wands on the knights nearest each of them hitting them in a flurry of darting energy
enervate, exanimate
. Sparks both blue and red flashed into nothingness first against the knights’ sword handles and then around their chests. The knight nearest Vaughn seized his wrist and forced him against the table to wrench his wand free. Another knight came at Caleigh but hesitated slightly unwilling to harm this pretty and charming girl. The lunge in the end was clumsy and Caleigh’s dancer agility enabled her to twist away from his hands and retain her feet. 

“
Bedazzle
”. The knight swayed back drunkenly unable to focus on anything around him. Vaughn had somehow freed himself from the knight he was grappling with but at the loss of his wand. The knight seemed to think this swung things his way and gripped hold of Vaughn by the front of his robes and forcing him backward. He hadn’t reckoned on what was up Vaughn’s sleeves though and was hit at close quarters by a spells that send him sprawling against the wall like he had been shoved by a man twice his size.

The reprieve lasted for neither Caleigh nor Vaughn as both had a second knight bearing down on them. Once again their initial spells died against the knights’ protection. “Halt!” Caleigh cried causing both knights to stop momentarily. Neither wizard hesitated in taking advantage; Vaughn pointed his wand downward and rush of air expanded outwards scattering plates, stools and all four knights while aside from whipping her hair leaving Caleigh unaffected. She followed up herself by stunning one of the flailing knights who hit the floor in a flash of red. The door opened behind them and just as Caleigh felt hope rising a pair of arms seized her from behind and knocked her wand from her grasp. Over her shoulder a dark grey sword appeared pointed towards her captor’s side but before the threat made its impact Vaughn was knocked sideways by a punch to the jaw from Sir Oswald joining the melee. Soon both of them were held in the grip of multiple arms and were being dragged through stone corridors to an empty straw covered room where they were pitched out with the door slammed behind them.

27. The Crux of the Matter

“Do you think, perhaps, we should not have come alone?” Caleigh put to the glum-faced Vaughn sitting on the bench next to her. Vaughn laughed slightly and shook his head.

“I don’t know but if they plan to burn poor Cedric I’m glad that some of us are still in place to try and stop it.”

“Dana was right about the Cruxiars. They cannot be trusted. Why are they like this?”

“They are zealots; they’re not able to think in anything other than absolutes.”

“Why are they against magic though? They say they serve the blessed White Lady yet she is Loreliath, a wizard. It is in the cause of Loreliath that we are trying to protect people like Cedric. Surely they should be supporting us?”

“Well...for one thing they don’t really worship Loreliath. Yes, the blessed White Lady might be Loreliath but the two ideas are very different. Loreliath was and is a person, an undoubtedly good person but a person all the same. She has the virtues of being a good person and maybe, just maybe, some of the vices too precisely because she is a person. The blessed White Lady, on the other hand is perfect. She is the embodiment of any and every ideal they wish to bestow her with. You would be the one to know but I’d guess some of those ideals would sit very uneasily with the real Loreliath.”