Moonstone, Magic That Binds (Book 1) (8 page)

Lotto held up his fist. “It happened as soon as she touched it.”

“Ah, you speak the truth,” Fessano said, “and I sense power in you.”

Power. The word frightened Lotto. He didn’t want any power, especially after he saw how his parents had died in agony.

“Tell me all,” Fessano said and Lotto told the wizard the same story that he had earlier related to Mander.

The wizard rose and looked out at the leaden skies.  “You are right about your parents. They were from Bomai, a duchy of Serytar, on Zarron. They were fleeing from the recently-crowned Emperor of Dakkor.”

Lotto rummaged around in his pockets and pulled out a silver buckle and a piece of the silk that wrapped him as a newborn baby and gave them to Fessano. “This is all I have left of them.”

“Definitely Serytaran. Don’t you think so Mander? You know more about those things than I do.” He tossed the buckle to Mander and sniffed the silk. “This I can work with.”  Fessano walked to his workbench and snipped a tiny corner off of the colorless cloth. He put it by a design carved into the top and put his hand over it. His eyes closed and then he opened them.

“What does that do?”

“Oh. I get an image of the person who it belonged to. The carving is actually a spell that I think of, an old man forgets, you know. A woman, blond—hair like yours—very tall and fit.  She’s dressed like a Serytar noblewoman. Everything fits. Point to where Restella is at this moment.”

Lotto didn’t have to hesitate. He stood and pointed towards the door to Fessano’s quarters.”

“Quite right.”

“Worked twice before, today,” Mander said, just sitting watching the interplay between Lotto and the wizard.

Fessano pushed Lotto gently back down on a chair and told him the legend of the Moonstone.

“I didn’t know all of that,” Mander said.

“Goes to show you, the court genius doesn’t know all.” Fessano said smirking at Mander, but then he smiled. “But what do we do with the lad? I believe his presence might complicate the king’s efforts to tame his youngest daughter, as if there is any chance of that, anyway.”

“Lotto said he doesn’t wish to learn about his power. He’s not demanding anything from the king.”

“I don’t. Mander is right,” Lotto said.

Fessano waved his objection away. “You will need to learn about it, Lotto. The time may come when you’ll need to tap into the nexus with your Affinity. That power may just save your life and the lives of others. The Moonstone may still be sought by the same people who assassinated your parents. Besides, there are side effects from the power that might be harmful to others.”

“That means the princess is in danger?”

“Not from you inadvertently using power. I doubt if the Dakkoran Emperor Daryaku will give up on his desire to possess all of the Warstones, although two of them were supposedly lost. If the Darkstone that Daryaku possesses truly was the Purestone, then that leaves the Sunstone and no one in all of Roppon knows what happened to it.

“Restella is without power, so the gem is dormant to any scrying spells the emperor might employ. In any case, she is protected by hundreds of soldiers as we speak. Why don’t we do this; I’ll come to Mander’s shop every week or so and I’ll give you enough knowledge so you won’t accidentally kill yourself or hurt anyone else.” The wizard stood up and pulled two books from his shelves. “You can start with these.”

Mander laughed. “Won’t work.” He shook his head. “Lotto can’t read.”

“I can too.” Lotto said.  He had to defend himself.  He felt a bit self-conscious about his lack of education, but he didn’t want to lie, exactly to the intimidating wizard. “But perhaps I won’t understand what’s written there.”

“Can’t read?”

“Until recently Lotto was quite stupid. No education whatsoever. I am happy to announce that since he’s been under my wing, he has learned some numbers, his letters and can read a first year primer.”

“Oh,” Fessano look deflated. “Never mind. You let me know when you’ve learned enough to understand the first few pages of these tomes.” He thrust them at Lotto, anyway. “Enough for now.” The sun emerged from clouds and painted Fessano in orange light, making him blink. “I see the sun is trying to make an additional appearance before resting for the night.” The wizard yawned.

Lotto liked the wizard’s humor, but the man’s eyes weren’t as honest as Mander’s. He would like to learn the trick of viewing someone’s image from a piece of cloth.  Perhaps he could see what his parents looked like again.  He had never remembered his parents’ faces from his vision of their demise.

~

The borderland between Valetan and Oringia consisted of hills and rock jumbles. Restella wondered why anyone would want it. Farmers were restricted to small plots of available earth and the rest was used for sheep and cows.  The expedition traveled over two weeks right to the border and then north to the Earl’s town without encountering any of violators of the Valetan border. If there were any Oringians in the rocks and behind the hills, they didn’t show themselves and the rangers couldn’t find them.

At least, the trip gave Restella the opportunity to experience military life on the road, with Silver’s help, of course. He’d saved her a few more times, but she now understood her duties better. Meals in the Captain’s tent still made her uncomfortable as the other six officers rarely spoke to her.  She found that their ignoring her provided the opportunity to listen and learn without asking potentially embarrassing questions.  She saved those for Silver.

The next day they arrived in Loston, the town around the earl’s keep. The soldiers set up camp in a newly fallow field not too far away from the castle and the ragged town.  The village lanes were merely bare dirt spaces between the houses except for one reasonably wide lane running through the center.

Captain Shortwell rode up as Restella began to put her own things in her tent. “Not so fast. The Earl has quarters for the officers in his castle. Get your things and tell Silver you’re leaving.”

“Yes, sir,” Restella said, saluting her superior officer.  A real bed? Could it be too much to hope for? She didn’t really mind sleeping on the road. She relished the experiences that had been useful in hardening her to the life of a soldier. Merely reading about life on the road just didn’t give one this kind of experience. Perhaps her father had sent her on this trip to drive her out of the army. If he did, the king failed. She enjoyed her duties and would continue to show her willingness to continually improve her military skills.

~~~

CHAPTER NINE

~

“
N
O DRESS,
P
RINCESS
R
ESTELLA?”
Earl Louson said as he rose from his dining table when her fellow officers and she entered into the dining hall. Restella remembered him now, a reedy, greasy fellow. Her father had referred to him as a bush noble and she could see why. The man lacked refinement. The officers stood in front of the dais where the earl had already begun his meal without waiting for them.

“I’m here as a lieutenant in his majesty’s army, sire. We are here to help you manage your border dispute with the Oringians, if the Captain has informed me correctly?” She nodded to Shortwell.

“Very well. The Earl’s tone suddenly turned wintry and he shushed her with his hand, sending her away.  “I suppose you are the most junior officer so please sit at the far end of the table.”

“Thank you for your hospitality, my lord.” Restella bowed and took her place standing with the other officers.

“You may be seated.” Louson glared at Restella. “All of you.”

What had she done to make the Earl so instantly touchy? He ended up speaking only to the Captain. She ended up eating by Lieutenant Gasolo.

“Have you spurned Louson’s proposal of marriage?” Gasolo said quietly.

Restella could only shrug, but a fellow officer had actually initiating a conversation with her, gave her a surprise. “No. I expect he’s disappointed this isn’t a state visit. I doubt a member of the royal family has visited in years and years. I’m here as a member of the army, not of court and that must rankle the good earl.” She glanced at Louson, regaling the Captain, but it all struck Restella as false.

“Here, here!” Gasolo lifted his wine glass and interrupted Restella’s thoughts. He let Restella touch it with hers. Even the hint of a feeling of camaraderie within the officer corps warmed her even more than the wine did her throat. However, Louson’s demeanor sent a chill down her spine.

~

Mander clomped down from the second level of the shop. “Lotto, what am I to do? Everything is clean up here!” He laughed as he carried a book in his hand.

“I’ve done up the whole shop, including my rooms and the attic. Not a cobweb or a speck of dust. We’ll maybe not that good, but I trust everything is in order.”

“I am amazed,” Mander said scratching the back of his head in wonder. “When did you find time to do all of this?”

“I’m eager to learn, sir. I didn’t want any big projects keeping me from my studies, so I’ve done all that you’ve asked me to do. The books are in their proper sections according to your lists and in the right order.”  Lotto didn’t want to be distracted when he started to really concentrate on his studies.  He had hated admitting his illiteracy to Fessano and wouldn’t let that happen again.

“Until I mess them up again,” Mander laughed. Lotto liked the way that Mander laughed, all the way to his eyes. 

Lotto knew that Mander rarely sought out books now that Lotto had been hired to help. Lotto put a couple of mugs out and poured some tea for the shopkeeper and some for himself. “I finished it all just before you came in this morning.”

“Very good. I’m afraid you’re wasting your talents as my assistant,” Mander said with a smile. “Now you can spend all of your time reading Fessano’s books.” His eyes brightened. “I’ll be right back.” Mander ran back upstairs and came down with an armful of books. “These are my magic primers. They might not be as arcane as the wizard’s but you can start with these. No one has ever asked to look at them. This one is a folio and is quite old.” He put down a sheaf of papers bound between two leather-covered boards secured with leather straps. “I’d save that one for after Fessano’s books.”

Lotto had to make sure he didn’t spit out his tea. Mander had seven more books stacked on the table. Could he ever get through ten books? When he came to Beckondale, he had no idea he’d be reading and learning so much. “Thank you, sir.”

Mander flashed the original book that he had retrieved from the second floor at him. “Great. I have to deliver this personally to a lady whom I’m friendly with. I don’t suppose I’ll be back until tomorrow. Can you manage without me?”

Mander had spent only a few hours a day at the shop since their Fessano visit, so Lotto only had to nod his head.

“Good, good. I’ll finish this tea, wrap up the book and be on my way.” He went into his office and put a gold coin down in front of Lotto. “Treat yourself to something this afternoon. Today’s the biggest market day of the week and you deserve a holiday. What would you like to buy? A weapon, perhaps?”

Lotto thought. He didn’t need any more books. Mander had already told him he could use whatever he found in the bookstore office, but he liked Mander’s idea.

“I’d like to buy a sword and a knife. I have no protection if robbers attack the store. There’s one thing that I’d like, but I can’t buy, and that’s some of your knowledge. I’d like to learn other things than magic and wizardry, like where my parents lived and what the rest of the world is like. Maybe I’d like to know the kinds of things that you advise the king on.”

“Political and war strategy? I can do that. After some years of peace, I do believe we’ve got some real live examples coming up, I’m afraid. Make sure you go to all of the weapons merchants. You might find a real bargain in the unlikeliest of places. You never know when you’ll need a sharp blade. The Oringians are almost certainly going to create trouble…  You know there is a Serytar, I know, who has a used weapons tent in the marketplace. It’s a red tent, I believe. I’d suggest you talk to him before you make any decisions.”

“I will.” Lotto thought about Mander’s comment about the Oringians. “Is Restella in danger?”

Mander’s good nature fled. “I’m afraid she is. The girl wanted to be a soldier—excuse me, warrior princess. The only way she can do that is to be out there amongst the men in real soldiering circumstances. She can fend for herself, though. Lieutenant Silver is quite competent and will keep her safe enough.”

“Who’s Lieutenant Silver?”

“He’s a scout and one of the best. I volunteered him to be Restella’s servant. She thinks he’s just an enlisted man, but he’s there to teach her as much as he can without her letting on.”

Lotto nodded. “She wouldn’t be a good student if he was introduced as her teacher, right?”

Mander leaned over and ruffed up Lotto’s hair. “Right, young man. That’s an astute observation and you don’t know her.”

“You’ve talked enough about Princess Restella.”

“Have I?”

Lotto smiled. “You and Fessano are exasperated with her. It doesn’t take much to figure that out.”

“Perceptive. Keep it up.” Mander finished his mug. “I’ve got to get going. I need to do an errand before I deliver this,” he flashed this little volume “Don’t finish those books before I get back tomorrow.” He hurried into his office as Lotto took the empty mugs to wash them out in the little kitchen.

Mander waved with the book, now wrapped in brown paper and tied up in the red twine that he used for special orders, and left with a quick good-bye.

Lotto sat back down and picked up the gold piece and would add it to the two upstairs in his room. A sword and a dagger, like a real knight. However knights and a feudal economy had given way to a standing royal army and the title had dwindled away. There were still plenty of novels with stories of knights, even among the lofty books that Mander sold. He did remember cataloguing a book that described the finer points of swords—perhaps a quick look at that before he locked the shop and walked to the market.