Simon stood up with a grunt and walked back to his carrots.
“I don't see it like that.”
He knelt down, grabbed his trowel and looked back at Aeris.
“Thanks for the update. Keep your eyes open. This guy may not be as immature as you think he is; maybe he's simply insane.”
Aeris' mouth dropped open in surprise.
“Well now,” he muttered. “Isn't that an encouraging thought.”
A week later, Simon and Kronk harvested for the first time that year. Early carrots, beets, tomatoes; the earthen made vegetables grown and thrive at a ridiculously fast pace.
When he got in touch with Tamara, he learned that after the first assault had been beaten back, the undead hadn't returned.
“We've scoured the nearby countryside,” she said to Simon in the mirror. “No sign of them anywhere. We have patrols out just in case, but it seems that we've earned ourselves a respite.”
“Glad to hear that. Listen, I've got a bunch of fresh veggies to trade if you're interested.”
The mage's eyes lit up.
“Interested? I'm thrilled. We're still finishing off last years' preserves and dried fruit. Any fresh additions to our diet here would be most welcome.”
“Good. I'm also bringing one of my cows. I hate to do it, but she's older and huge and will supply your people with beef for quite some time. I only want a few steaks and roasts when your butcher is done; the rest is yours.”
“As always, you are too generous, Simon. What do you need in return?”
He went through a list in his mind.
“A couple of new robes would be nice. I don't care about the color except, please, no green.”
He shuddered and Tamara chuckled.
“Also, linen underwear and...is anyone knitting socks?”
“Absolutely. We have quite a fair sized herd of sheep now and a couple of our people are cranking out socks and sweaters. Anything else?”
“Not off hand. I'll think about it and tell you when I get there. Say, tomorrow?”
“Excellent. We look forward to seeing you.”
“Thanks Tamara. See you then.”
When he broke the connection, Simon set down the mirror and went off in search of the elementals.
Both Kronk and Aeris were thrilled with the idea of a trip. Even they got bored occasionally. Kronk was a little saddened at the idea of losing one of his cows, but he also understood the practically of it.
“Don't worry,” Simon reassured him. “Next spring we'll head out and bring back a few more for you to look after.”
His little red eyes lit up.
“Oh, that will be splendid, master!”
Aeris opened his mouth to make a cutting remark, saw Simon's expression and wisely kept his thoughts to himself.
“Still no sign of problems in the area?” the wizard asked him.
“None. And our scouts near Ottawa report no sign of the necromancer there anymore. He's disappeared, which makes me uneasy.”
“Same here. Well, we'll only be gone for the day tomorrow so if anything does happen, we'll be back before dark.”
The visit to Nottinghill Castle started off well. Simon and the elementals were greeted warmly by Tamara and Sebastian and several of the castle's inhabitants. The helpers carried off the baskets of produce and a huge bag of wool that Kronk had sheered from their sheep. He watched sadly as someone led away the cow.
A young woman named Ruby, who Tamara introduced as Nottinghill's seneschal, made a list of the items that Simon had brought for trade and gave it to him with a cheerful smile. Ruby was short and stocky with broad features and a red nose. She reminded the wizard of a female dwarf he'd met once.
“What's a seneschal?” Simon asked Aeris in a whispered aside.
“What you would call a steward, my dear wizard,” the air elemental murmured discretely. “They were in charge of the domestic affairs of many castles back in the old days.”
“Really? Huh. I wonder why Tamara brought back that position?”
“Why not ask her?”
Simon shook his head.
“Doesn't matter.”
The mages took their visitors in for an early lunch. Simon had left home at dawn because of the five hour time difference and had only had some toast, so a meal was welcome.
The home cooking was delicious and varied and he left the table truly stuffed for the first time in months. Aiden and Malcolm joined them, as did the mage, Keiko. She was as quiet and unassuming as always, but greeted Simon with a gentle smile.
The two warriors were louder with their welcomes and the wizard endured Malcolm's pounding on his back until Aiden stopped the assault, pointing out that Simon couldn't catch his breath.
“We haven't seen him in ages,” he told his partner. “Try not to kill him right off, hmm?”
“Oh, jeez. I am so sorry, Simon. Sometimes I forget my own strength.”
“You always forget your own strength,” Tamara snapped while Simon sat at the table, wheezing.
“It's okay,” he gasped. “I'm a bit fragile, that's all.”
Malcolm's face was red and he muttered another apology. Aiden dragged him away and sat him down with an audible thump.
“Sit there and eat before you do more damage,” he growled.
Simon looked away before he burst out laughing and embarrassed the big man even more. Sitting in that rather small chair in full armor made Malcolm look like a little boy who had been given a time-out.
When the luncheon was over, everyone went off in different directions while Tamara stayed with Simon and the elementals. She asked him to list his needed supplies, took it and promised to have it filled within an hour.
“Why don't you head out to the courtyard?” she said. “I believe there's an old friend of yours out there waiting to speak with you privately.”
“Really? Who?”
“Go and see,” she said mischievously and winked before she quickly walked off.
“Isn't it strange for her to be that playful?” Aeris wondered.
Simon nodded and began making his way toward the courtyard. He was almost sure he remembered the correct route.
“It is. I wonder what's up?”
“You like surprises, master,” Kronk reminded him as he tip-tapped along behind the wizard.
“”Well, that really depends on the nature of the surprise,” Simon told him. “And I don't have a lot of 'old' friends left these days. Who could it be?”
They found out a few minutes later.
After getting lost once in the endless corridors of the castle, they were shown the proper path by a helpful young man who stared at the elementals in awe. Aeris was notably pleased by the wide-eyed look he gave them as they walked away.
“They don't see many of our kind very often, do they?”
“How could they? I'm the only person who has elemental helpers.”
“Good point. He seemed rather impressed by us.”
Kronk laughed roughly.
“Do not let it go to your head, Aeris,” he rumbled. “It was what we are, not who we are, that impressed him. If it was Ana instead of you, he would have been just as affected.”
Aeris sniffed disdainfully.
“I doubt it,” he said over his shoulder as he flew ahead.
Simon concentrated on the directions he was given and was relieved when he opened a large oaken door and was greeted by bright sunlight.
“Found it,” he said happily as they stepped outside. “That's a relief.”
“Not a natural castle dweller, my friend?” someone asked.
The wizard looked around and smiled in happy surprise.
“Liliana! Hey, how are you?”
The paladin had been leaning on a nearby pillar in full armor. She stood up and walked over, extending a hand.
Simon shook it warmly.
“So you're the old friend that Tamara mentioned?”
“Is that what she called me? I suppose old friends in this n
ew world of ours are anyone we've known for more than a year or two. Yes, she meant me. How have you been? I was told about your troubles with the undead.”
They began walking slowly across the courtyard, with the elementals following quietly behind them.
“I think that my problems are minor compared to the attacks you guys faced here. I'm fine. So you haven't seen any sign of the necromancer since that last attack?”
“None. And it's making me nervous.”
Simon raised an eyebrow.
“You? Nervous? I didn't even know that was possible.”
Liliana chuckled, walked on a few paces and stopped. She turned toward him with a serious look on her face.
“There's something going on, Simon. I can't put my finger on it but there is a tension in the air and it is building. We are all in danger; those of us here at Nottinghill, you, the people on the Defiant. Everyone. I'm sure that there are pockets of humanity still out there that we aren't even aware of who are threatened as well.”
“By what? What do you know, Liliana?”
The paladin made an exasperated gesture as she looked up at the walls that loomed over the central courtyard.
“I don't know anything. I believe that the gods are giving me a warning, but are being limited by the Chaos lords. They cannot reach me in my dreams to give me more details, so they are doing what they can.”
“By making you nervous? That's not very reliable.”
Liliana began walking again, heading toward a set of stairs that led upward.
“Yes, I know. And that makes it worse somehow. Now I know you will probably say no to this, but how would you like to move to the castle for a week or two? I tell you, my friend, we are all in greater danger than we realize.”
Simon waited until they had climbed the narrow staircase and reached the wide parapet that followed the walls of the castle. He took a moment to catch his breath as he looked out over the surrounding countryside.
The rich forests around the castle were still obscured by a thin morning fog but the scent of new leaves and fresh grass was invigorating.
“Liliana, I respect you and your powers,” he finally replied. “And I know the reality of the gods of Justice. But a vague feeling of unease isn't enough to convince me to abandon my home and retreat to this castle. No offense.”
She shook her head and gave him an understanding smile.
“None taken. I don't really blame you. But I'm not asking this just for your protection, but for the protection of the people of Nottinghill. We have three mages here as well as myself and a cleric. And Virginia and the others, of course. Add a wizard of your abilities and I don't know that there is anything the dark gods can throw at us that we can't counter.”
“There is something to what the lady paladin is saying,” Aeris said. He was floating a few feet away and rippling in the brisk wind.
Simon looked at Kronk, who had jumped up on top of the low wall and was listening quietly.
“What do you think?” he asked the earthen.
“Me, master? My opinion is not necessary. You must make this decision. I will follow you wherever you go.”
“I will as well,” Aeris added stoutly.
“Thanks guys. I know you will.”
All of them turned as someone began shouting down in the courtyard.
A group of guardsmen, wearing chain mail armor and carrying spears, were lining up. In front of them was the unmistakable figure of Malcolm, his plate armor gleaming in the sun.
“What going on?” Simon asked as he watched.
“Just the changing of the guard. They are on four hour shifts. It must be high noon.”
“Ah. Gotcha.”
They watched as the group separated, half heading indoors while the other half climbed the stairs to man the walls.
“Well organized,” Simon commented.
“They are. We can thank Malcolm and Aiden for that. They arrange the schedules, train anyone who wants to learn and set a very good example with their work ethic. Admirable men, both of them.”
“They are that.”
Several of the guards, men and women both, walked by Simon and Liliana. They saluted respectfully and tried not to stare at the elementals as they passed.
“So what do you say, my friend?” the paladin asked after several minutes had passed. “I am not going to hound you about this, but it is only for a week or two.”
Simon looked at her quizzically. He slipped his staff off of his shoulder and leaned back against the low wall.
“You think it will only be a week or two,” he replied. “But like you've said yourself, you are asking based on a feeling. What if I moved here temporarily and after that time had passed, the feeling was still strong. Would you want me to stay for another week? And then another?”
“I...”
The paladin seemed to be at a loss for words. She looked down and frowned, tapping her fingers on the sword hilt on her hip.
“That's a valid point,” she admitted somewhat grudgingly. “And the truth is, I don't know. Probably yes. If the threat still exists and is as pervasive as it is now, I would probably ask you to stay longer.”
“Then my answer has to be no, Liliana,” Simon told her regretfully. “As you noted earlier, a castle is not a comfortable place for me to be. Living with others is difficult for me and it always has been. Maybe it's because of what I am now, or maybe it's part of my old self. I don't know. What I do know is that being here for more than a day or two would drive me crazy. And it's not you or the people here. It's me. Call me odd or whatever; that is how I feel.”
Liliana shook her head.
“I would hardly call you odd, Simon. I lived outside of the castle for months, remember. I am only here now because of the threats to the people. If we ever reach a point in the future where things are safer, or at least less dire, I shall probably move out again.”
“I'm glad you understand. Now, both you and Tamara have lodestones and either of you can contact me immediately if there's an attack on the castle. I don't know if the last attacks were intentionally coordinated or not, but at a guess I'd say the odds of that happening again are slim. So if you need my help, just call on me, day or night. The castle's wards are attuned to me so Gating through them is no problem and I can be here in minutes. Surely the time saved by my living here won't be all that significant, will it?”
The paladin laughed and shook a finger at him.
“You are entirely too logical, do you know that? But you're right. Perhaps I was just being overly concerned for the castle and its people when I asked you to stay for a while.”
Simon pushed off the wall and slung Mortis de Draconis over his shoulder again.
“No you weren't, Liliana. You can never care too much for these Changlings. Don't you ever believe that. I feel the same way about them. You and I, we were created to be their protectors. I'm convinced of that now. Any of us who can use magic or prayer to defend our people have been gifted with those powers for that specific purpose. And we must never forget that. Call me if you need me and I will be here, I promise you.”
The paladin extended her gloved hand and Simon shook it firmly.
“You've eased my mind, my friend, and I thank you for that. I'm going to remain up here. Why not head down and seek out the seneschal? She will probably have your supplies ready by now.”
“I'll do that. I hope to see you again soon, Liliana.”
“I'm sure you will. Take care.”
The rest of the day passed quickly. The wizard spent about an hour speaking with Malcolm and Aiden. They swapped war stories about their battles with the undead. He also dropped in to see the quartet of friends, Virginia, Anna, Eric and Gerard. The four of them were busily involved in castle life. When Simon remembered the first time they had met and how traumatized they had been, he felt very proud of them.
Although they were busy with their various duties, everyone took some time to catch up. They had all grown as people but Anna was
the most changed; she was more mature and outgoing than she had once been.
When Simon mentioned that, Anna gave him a mischievous grin.
“I was always like this,” she said lightly. “It just took me a bit longer to come out of my shell.”
Later, when he was taking his leave, Virginia took him aside for a quick word.
“Do you think this mess with the necromancers will be concluded quickly?” she asked him after a quick look over her shoulder to make sure that they were out of earshot of her friends.
“I have no idea. Why?”
Simon had forgotten just how beautiful Virginia was. It was a bit distracting, even though he wasn't really attracted to her.
“Because the four of us hope to get out and explore the world one day. Yes, I know,” she added as she saw his confusion. “We fit in here and love the place. But we're all getting restless as well. Our combined powers are growing and we want to find out what we can do away from the protection of the castle and its people. Does that sound strange?”
“Not at all. I think one reason I live alone is because I have the freedom to try new spells, new ways of manipulating magic. I'm not constantly worrying about the effects on others.”
He looked at the waiting elementals.
“My friends here are a lot more resilient than humans are and any accidents I might have do very little damage to them. If I lived here, I wouldn't have that kind of freedom.”
“I knew you'd understand,” Virginia said warmly.
“Just don't do anything hastily,” Simon warned her. “This insane situation with the undead may last for quite some time. And when you do leave, do me a favor and let me know, okay? Don't just disappear.”
She chuckled and gave him a quick hug.
“We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you,” she told him. “And you two as well,” she added, looking at the elementals.
Both Aeris and Kronk smiled gratefully and bowed as one.
“So we won't just vanish, Simon. Now off you go. The world won't save itself, you know.”
He snorted a laugh, said his goodbyes and headed out.
It was late evening by the time Simon and the elementals returned home. He'd brought back a dozen bags of supplies including clothes, several bottles of wine and bundles of dried meat. He had decided on the preserved beef because it would last a lot longer.
Tales from the New Earth: Volume Two Page 72