Wynn’s stomach clenched. “Is... is it dangerous?”
“No, the words need to be spoken aloud to have any effect. They are written in the ancient tongue too. Few speak it now.”
Wynn relaxed, but the look in Medea’s eye was one of fear, she was intently reading a passage from the book, her eyes flickering to the Dagger of Night which was still sheathed on Wynn’s belt.
“The Dagger of Night,” Medea breathed, “why do you carry it with you?”
Wynn touched the dagger’s hilt unconsciously, wondering why she had taken it from the torture chamber. It signified her weakness resulting in Theodore’s death, her decision to sacrifice Rueben, and her success at killing Procel; she supposed it was a choice she had made so that she would never forget what she had done. She explained this to Medea who regarded her levelly.
“I think it is something more child, something you are not admitting to yourself. Can you honestly say that if I demanded it, right this moment you could give it up?” Medea asked, “No, exactly,” she carried on, not letting Wynn reply, “it is a weapon is one of mystery and evil and I do not think you should carry it.”
Wynn considered Medea’s words as was only proper – Medea was over three hundred years old and her advice was one born of great wisdom – but knew she would continue to carry it, if anything it was a weapon that had killed the un-dead and it may prove useful in the future. Medea sensed what she was thinking and sighed dejectedly. Wynn raised her eyebrows in surprise that she had caused Medea such a reaction.
“I can see nothing but trouble in carrying it, but I cannot see everything and cannot say for certain the outcome,” Medea said.
Next to Wynn Arabella bristled, she wondered about the morality of any who could hold and wield the weapon. Wynn was startled by the thought; she had no idea that Arabella had doubted her, though in truth they had had little time for conversation over the past few days. It hurt Wynn to know Arabella’s concerns. Medea, however, carried on smiling.
“You always did have a vast knowledge in that pretty head of yours, but you are indeed mistaken. I suppose the general understanding would have led you to this conclusion, but Wynn has proven that wrong, has she not? Is she evil Arabella?”
Arabella’s lips pinched together for a moment before she snapped, “Of course not, that was never my worry, I was merely thinking of the weapon itself and its history.”
Medea nodded slowly and seriously, all humour gone from her face, “I say this truthfully but Wynn would not be alive now if I had sensed even a flicker of malevolence. None of you would, I do not tolerate the minds and souls of evil in my house.”
Arabella’s face did not betray her surprise, but Wynn felt it keenly. Arabella wondered why Medea had not killed her on sight, had her past actions not warranted such a change in her soul? Arabella had convinced herself that her past had transformed her magic, corrupted it even.
“Your actions have been far from... virtuous in the past, but just as you believe you have been just, I believe it also. It takes far more than self defence to corrupt ones soul,” Medea stood up suddenly, “I wish to speak with Wynn alone, you are welcome to sit down in my study.”
Griffin raised his eyebrow sardonically as Medea motioned to a small corner of the room, separated by a wooden screen. Griffin and Jareth had been pointedly ignored throughout, but neither felt bitter and Wynn watched them take Braelyn and Arabella with them to the ‘study’ with a newfound respect. Medea waved her hand in their direction and turned her attention back to Wynn.
“They will not hear this conversation, a trifle unnecessary you may think but in these times the less you know the more protected you are. You have a long and perilous journey ahead of you Wynn,” Medea said sadly, her face wise and sober, “the lands are wrought with danger and few will aid you in this journey. You must travel to Berhandril.”
“Where? I have heard of no such place.”
“Oh and because you have not heard of it means that it does not exist?” Medea smiled, almost teasingly, “You know a map of the lands well I trust?” Wynn nodded. Inlo was the centre of the map, Terra somewhere far west. The map that she had seen, which was available to all in Woodstone showed Inlo as vast and very well guarded. It was sketchy on anything else. “That is only a fraction of the true size of these lands,” Medea finished.
Wynn opened her mouth to reply, but found nothing fitting. Of course she had not considered it, it was something you accepted. Many never left their birthplace and so had only the tales of travellers and the incomplete map they were shown as a child to understand what lay across the borders.
“You must head north, Aerona is looking for you and you are close to inheriting your magic. It will be a painful and awakening experience and you need to be far from here when it happens.”
“I... I don’t understand?” Wynn stammered.
“North is where you will find the ruins of the once proud Seminary of Berhandril. I know of at least a dozen Mages and Magus who may teach you. I can give you only the scantest help my child, my vision dims the further I look ahead... well there are many reasons to that, it is of course macabre to delve further, I shall spare you the details. All I can tell you with any certainty is that you must reach the Seminary.”
Wynn nodded seriously, “What will happen to my friends?”
Medea knew Wynn meant in the future and it took her a moment to arrange her face into a blank expression. She could not tell Wynn anything, as much as Seeing was an erratic art Medea knew with an extreme clarity that to tell Wynn anything about what would befall her friends would deviate her from her destiny. Medea smiled.
“Griffin and Jareth shall accompany Braelyn to Terra and Arabella shall go with you to Berhandril. I feel this is best. It is what I See.”
Who was Wynn to argue with Medea? Though parting would almost certainly be agony; Braelyn had become a sister to her, a sibling when she had had none. To be apart would fracture her heart, and Griffin and Jareth too had found a way into her affection, she would miss them all. How would they survive without Arabella? Danger would surely stalk them. The thought of Braelyn in harm’s way was enough to make Wynn reconsider them parting. But she could not argue with the feeling of order and pertinence that fell upon her when she considered Braelyn returning to see her father.
“Will they be... will Braelyn be... safe?” Wynn found it hard to talk about Braelyn and the danger she would be placing herself in. Braelyn was not like the others; she had no natural instinct of survival and had never, to Wynn’s knowledge, even held a weapon let alone had the drive to use it. How would she cope?
Medea ran her hands through her hair, “I cannot See further than Braelyn, Jareth and Griffin reaching Cairon. I am sorry child, I know your heart fears for your friends, but we cannot argue with Lady Fate’s design.”
Wynn swallowed; it was not really an answer. Her hand gravitated to the hilt of the Dagger of Night, a habit she had picked up from Arabella, in her worry. Medea’s eyes followed the movement and her lips pinched together almost without conscious movement. She gestured to the weapon, “The Dagger of Night will give you the respect of those that dwell in the shadows, they will do your bidding. I pray you only use it when you see fit, it is a mystery even to me and I cannot predict how it will react to the touch of an untutored Magus.” Wynn nodded, startled, unaware she had been touching the dagger at all.
Medea sighed, “I have spies through the lands. They have told me Aerona seeks you, attempts on your life have been miscalculated due to the necklace you wear. It is a powerful spell for a Magus who was dying...” Wynn gritted her teeth at the mention of her mother, “but once you inherit your powers her attempts may prove fatal, she will send everything under her command to make sure you fall. Your life may have been difficult but in no way would you have died from any injury, no matter what your attacker did. You know just as well as I that it allowed you to feel pain, but you would never have passed on. When the magic dissipates you will be vulnerable to
physical and magical attack. “
As though the army of Fallen were not bad enough, Wynn thought. What else would she encounter? Wynn described the animal they escaped from in Cratewood to Medea.
“Ahh, a Bordin Boar,” Medea gazed past Wynn as though recalling a memory, “they were peaceful, before Aerona corrupted them with her magic. Living on the outskirts of towns feeding on deer and such, but when Aerona was finished with them they became bolder and ventured into civilisation, feasting on the flesh of humans. Empowered by magic they could still an entire village whilst they consumed their fill. It seems unfortunately bad luck to have been attacked by one, very few exist anymore. Though of course there is no luck in this world; only fate.”
“So in my travels I may probably see the Fallen and Bordin Boars, anything else I should look out for?”
Medea chuckled, “Why you make it all sound so dangerous my child. Yes, two of the risks that stalk you, I am unsure what you may face but trusting my sight I would be wary of the Hybrids. It has the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. Even rarer than the Bordin Boars yet their population has almost doubled since Aerona’s arrival. And that is not even mentioning the scores of human enemies you have made, just by living.”
Wynn felt her hands begin to shake and gripped the hilt of the Dagger of Night to still them. It was easy to pretend she was not afraid, when surrounded by those who could not sense her emotions or hear her thoughts. Medea would not be fooled, yet Wynn knew Medea did not think less of her; her eyes were full of pity and her smile almost sad.
“Come child, you have many enemies to face; this is why I will heal the scar on your face, as it now has become common knowledge that Lord Oprend marked you. It may be a trifle unnecessary, but it may help all the same.” Medea ran her finger along the scar and a tingling sensation danced across Wynn’s cheek. Tentatively Wynn raised her finger to the scar; nothing remained of the tight puckered texture which had been so unsightly, now it was just her skin. Unmarked.
“Thank you,” Wynn whispered. Medea would never have known the extent of Wynn’s gratitude had her emotions not screamed them out. To be unmarked was like being reborn. No more would Wynn suffer the humiliation and aggravation of having any reminder of the Master on her body. She was truly free.
“The sooner you reach Berhandril the better,” Medea said, avoiding mentioning Wynn’s emotions, instead she waved her hand in the direction of the travellers, “I thank you for waiting,” Medea called to them and they left the corner of the room and stood again with Wynn.
The air tasted of candle smoke and the stale stench of Medea’s many collections; her animal skins, dust covered clothes and assorted jars filled with body parts. Wynn swallowed and took Braelyn’s hand in her own; preparing herself to part with the only person in the world she loved. Griffin and Jareth smiled at the other travellers, intent to show they were not feared of the journey ahead, but Arabella and Wynn saw through their worries. Braelyn was not just a maid anymore, she was the Princess.
“Your arrival only signifies the dire state that the lands are in,” Medea now addressed them all, “I know now that each of you is crucial to bring peace to the lands, if not for your own efforts for your combined efforts with others. Braelyn must go to Cairon; your father is... not as he once was. I believe the lands will accept you as their ruler. It will not be easy though my child, I tell you this to prepare you. Ones path is very rarely straight and I see many crossroads and diversions in yours.”
Braelyn nodded seriously but she did not dwell on Medea’s macabre words, Wynn felt her longing to see her father override all emotions. It was all consuming and she was glad Braelyn had some part of her family left; she wanted nothing but happiness for Braelyn. Yet what did Medea mean of Braelyn’s path? Medea had twice refused to answer Wynn’s questions about the welfare of her friends, was there a code of some kind which prevented her knowing, or was it simply that Medea did not wish to worry her?
“Griffin and Jareth, I believe you should accompany her...” Medea continued and Wynn too felt them agree, the weight of protecting Braelyn heavy on their shoulders. The room had become tense, separation marking the beginning of the final battle.
“I shall move you partly there, for you will not be able to pass through Inlo unquestioned,” Medea said soberly, “I do this because time is of the essence,” she turned to Wynn, “you have moved before Wynn?”
“Twice, completely unintentionally; we were in danger each time and I acted instinctively, calling my magic... Arabella warned be about it though, I understand the risk it poses while my magic is not yet whole.”
Medea looked from Wynn to Arabella, her eyes knowing. Wynn swallowed hard, unsure once again how to feel. Medea invoked such different emotions in Wynn that she could not decide if she loved or feared the old woman.
“She is right; it is dangerous for you to use your magic for such a complex and draining action. There are also many macabre tales attached to moving, debatable, but I do believe there is some truth in them, somewhere. Until you have fully mastered your magic I do not advise you try moving again.”
Wynn nodded quickly. She had never thought moving was dangerous, possibly it could prove fatal if she used too much energy but Medea was hinting at something darker attached to the action. Yet Medea did not divulge the information which would shine a light upon Wynn’s worries. Truly the High Priestess, Wynn thought sardonically, at liberty to share the information, if she so wishes. And Medea did not wish to it seemed.
“Go now children,” Medea spoke to Griffin, Jareth and Braelyn, “be safe and be strong. It was a pleasure to meet you Your Majesty,” Medea bowed her head, surprising Braelyn into silence.
Wynn laughed, “There will be a lot more of that to come when you inherit the crown. I will miss you my friends.”
None said goodbye. Goodbye meant a farewell and that, Wynn forced herself to think, is not what their journey was. Until we meet again, she thought sadly to herself. Would she ever see Braelyn again? Medea waved her hand and suddenly they were gone, transported far across the lands. Wynn swallowed painfully and forced the tears from her eyes, she could not allow herself to wallow in worry and fear when so much apparently rested upon her shoulders. Medea reacted to Wynn’s thoughts.
“You must leave and head for Berhandril. I have little to give you...” she began to rummage in her piles of bits and bobs. Emerging holding a small golden circlet, a single diamond dangling from it, this she handed delicately to Arabella who took it with a look of confusion.
“This,” Medea said softly, “Is the circlet of The Seer.”
Arabella nodded softly, “I thank you for this gift, but I am no great Seer.”
“No... but your mother was.”
Arabella’s face remained blank, but Wynn could feel her heart beat faster and her stomach clench, and feel her push down the emotions that were bubbling near the surface; sadness, love and fear. “My mother was murdered,” Arabella said impassively, her voice steady.
“Your mother was kidnapped seventeen summers ago; she is a prisoner in The Rune. She is alive and as well as one can be in such a place.”
Arabella gasped, then, suddenly, to Wynn’s extreme surprise, Arabella burst into tears, seventeen summers of hurt flooded out. It was a rare insight into Arabella’s turmoil. Her surface emotions, ones which Wynn had felt since they first met, never before hinted to how much pain Arabella really was in. It occurred to Wynn then that Arabella too was an orphan, save her grandmother who had been estranged from and now was thought dead; she had suffered most of her life thinking her mother was dead. Now there was hope of seeing her mother again and that was a miracle in Arabella’s eyes.
“This circlet is a copy of the circlet she used to wear when she Saw. The diamond enhances your magic... I think in these troubled times it is appropriate,” Medea said softly, pointedly avoiding discussing Arabella’s outburst.
Arabella nodded and took the circlet with a trembling hand. Wynn smiled imp
assively; she had not forgotten the coldness Arabella had bestowed on her that first meeting. Was she supposed to be happy that Arabella had a chance to see her mother again? Or jealous? Both emotions lingered and would not be ignored.
“For this journey a heavy heart will be one of great burden,” Medea said wisely to Wynn, “it is in the past.”
Wynn nodded and reluctantly pushed her feelings of hurt from her heart and thought to the journey ahead. Throughout their travels since that night in Woodstone’s square, when they had been betrayed by Rueben – Wynn’s heart beat a little quicker as she thought of him – they had travelled vast distances in short spaces of time. She had felt exhaustion grasp at her bones but she knew now, with a dread that felt like a lead ball in her stomach, that it would be nothing compared to the journey ahead. She had travelled large distances with magic, but Medea had made it clear that it was too dangerous to attempt such a thing again. She was untaught and the amount of magic it took to carry souls safely across such a distance could be fatal. No, she would need to be strong mentally and physically to reach their destination.
Medea turned to Wynn and from the folds of her clothes she drew a small wooden rebec – a bowed, stringed, musical instrument. It had a narrow, boat-shaped body and three strings. “I know of your voice, and how it bewitches,” Medea began, Wynn nodded and thought back to the night she had sung at Oprend’s Manor, “your voice is different to that of Arabella’s, Gypsy magic is all about deception, the thrill of being stronger than your opponent, you have a different magic and therefore your voice has different qualities. It can heal, and banish the dark.”
Wynn nodded her head and took the rebec, storing it in the leather bag. Medea then handed her the book, and Wynn too stowed it away in the leather bag. They turned to leave, Arabella ahead when Medea suddenly grabbed Wynn’s arm.
“There is something...” Medea mumbled, gazing at Wynn intently. Wynn shifted under her gaze. Medea was extremely agitated but seemed unable to express her worries.
Shade of Destiny (The Foreseeing) Page 28