“I don’t understand, we cannot use this man and leave without paying if that is what you are suggesting. He needs the money.”
Arabella continued to stare out of the window, ignoring her. Wynn felt anger rising in her belly, she opened her mouth to continue arguing but Arabella turned to her.
“Did you see his smile?” She asked almost thoughtfully, Wynn nodded, of course she had, what did that have to do with anything?
“He is a sorcerer,” Arabella said before turning back to the window. A sorcerer, Wynn mused, that explained the flame she had seen burning inside him, clearly a sign of one with the gift. It still didn’t explain much. Arabella’s thoughts were pensive and her emotions controlled. She was giving nothing away.
“And?” Wynn prompted.
“He is a particular kind of sorcerer, a Charmer, he prays on those with a soft heart. After we have slept he will kill us and drink our blood... our powers instantly infusing with his. There are many like him in this world, it is just bad luck that the first town we stumble into homes one.”
Medea’s words rung in Wynn’s head, “though of course there is no luck in this world; only fate.” Yet Wynn could not see how meeting with this Charmer would benefit them, but who was she to argue with Lady Fate? His smile had been so genuine... but Wynn did not doubt what Arabella said. Arabella was unquestionably more knowledgeable of the world of magic; one Wynn had only been a part of for a few weeks.
“You have not mentioned Charmers before,” Wynn said, watching Arabella’s expression carefully.
Arabella sighed, “As I mentioned, there are no sections of magic, strength and skill are the only factors, but the people that use magic can be separated. Mage, Magus, the male and female variant, these are commonly thought to be good, though they are a broad description of any with the gift. Those who practise dark magic and use it to harm others are called Sorcerers, Sorceresses and Charmers. All the same save the fact a Charmer has the ability to grow stronger by drinking the blood of others.”
“The villagers?” Wynn asked, remembering the emotionless voids in the shape of people that she had passed on the way.
“He has drained them of their life, he is infinitely stronger than his physical appearance suggests. They still live, and yet it is a semblance of life, none would know the difference other than the person they once knew was cold and unfeeling.”
“They are alive and yet dead?” Wynn said slowly her blood running cold at the thought. Arabella nodded sadly, her eyes were wide with knowing but her thoughts and emotions still revealed nothing. Wynn knew she longed to be able to shield her emotions like Medea but they had had no time to ask and so Arabella had to make do all the years of practise she had with controlling her emotions.
“What are we to do?” Wynn asked after a few moments.
“We will wash, and change and eat, and then once night falls we will continue on. It is too dangerous to stay, though I long to sleep in a comfortable bed.”
Wynn nodded slowly, “How did you know what he was?”
Arabella’s face became blank and distant, a sad look flashed across her face and suddenly across her eyes Wynn witnessed the same memory she had seen back in Lumber Forest. Arabella kneeling on the ground, weeping, her arm outreached in the direction of a retreating figure. The pain that overwhelmed Wynn was a shock because she knew how hard Arabella was trying not to show anything, the memory must be particularly potent for it to slip through Arabella’s efforts. Wynn gulped, shook her head to rid herself of the memory and did not question Arabella anymore. Instead she walked to the only other door in the room and found a small but clean bathroom. She closed the door behind her and filled the steel bath, steam floating ghostlike around the room. In a small chest two pairs of breeches, jerkins and cotton shirts had been folded painstakingly for the next customers. Wynn peeled her clothes off and only then realised how dirty she had been, they were caked with sweat and dirt. Black in some places, blood splattered in others.
She shivered as her mind flickered back to Procel, Rueben and Theodore, the thoughts twisted at her mind and clawed at her heart, she felt herself slowly slump in defeat. She was falling and drowning emotionally, the pain that wracked her heart made her feel that sinking into the bath and never rising would be a fitting end. And yet as soon as she had though it she decided, with an iron determination, that she would not let those memories torture her now, she had the rest of her life to mourn and contemplate what had happened in the mountain. For now she would sit in the steaming hot bath and clean herself until her skin was raw.
Once Wynn and Arabella had washed and changed, each brushing their hair until it shined in the light, all dirt and knots painstakingly removed – Wynn had not had to brush her hair for long before it sprung back into her thick natural curls – they went down the stairs and into the dining and lounging room. Farmers and tradesmen sat huddled around tankards of ale gossiping, they raised their heads as Wynn and Arabella entered but quickly lost interest. Wynn and Arabella sat down at an empty table and waited for their dinner. The room was small and noisy. Warmth from the kitchen flooded into the room, there was scarce light, save from the thick white candles set on the tables, wax dripping down onto the wood. They sat at a table in the middle of the room, the furniture was made of a dark wood and the walls were stained brown. A huge stone fireplace sat to the left of them, surrounded by mismatched seats.
From the kitchen shouts echoed into the lounging room. Wynn listened dreamily, the sounds taking her back to her time at Oprend Manor. Was it only three weeks ago? Three weeks ago she saw no end to her servitude, only a bleak and heartbreaking future, now she was Free, to an extent. She was tied to the Foreseeing, and travelling across Herth to please Medea, but she slept when she was tired, ate when she was hungry and never had to curtsy to anyone again.
“Miss?”
Wynn jumped and saw a woman holding a plate of food before her; she had clearly been trying to gain her attention for some time. Arabella was eyeing Wynn with exasperation, her plate of food before her, cutlery in her hands.
“Oh! Sorry... thank you,” Wynn mumbled awkwardly, taking the plate and setting it before her. Chicken with potatoes and vegetables, she could feel her mouth watering at the prospect. At Oprend Manor she had survived on thin stew made from leftovers, and more recently unseasoned bird and rabbit, but this... Wynn smiled to herself and began to tuck in, manners completely forgotten; nothing mattered save her belly being full. Arabella was eating more slowly, watching everything around her. Wynn realised that she too should be paying attention, she sent her mind out and instantly felt interest from the men around her, it was not threatening so she moved on until she found the owner of the tavern. She felt disgust from him, for all those he served, and power. Arabella had been right about his magic, and his awareness of their powers. Was it so obvious to others of her magical abilities? If she could gauge it in others then it was quite possible that hers were just as readable. She almost slapped herself for her negligence, she had not bothered to read the owners emotions thoroughly, exhaustion more important. She ate and finished her meal in silence.
“Wynn!” Arabella hissed. Wynn shook her head and her eyes focused back to Arabella. She was jerking her head in the direction of their room. She stood up and followed Arabella, who locked the door of their room behind them with magic.
“We will sleep in turns for a few hours,” Arabella instructed her. Wynn nodded slowly and settled into bed to sleep for a few precious hours. She thought of the owner and his magic. Drinking the blood of other magicians, having had to survive on the less powerful blood of the villagers, no wonder he was so happy to see them. Wynn sighed and let sleep wash over her.
After a few hours Arabella woke her up and they swapped positions. Wynn knew that she had just over a month before she inherited her magic. The thought disturbed and excited her in equal measure. She would have the magic that made her the Foreseen, but with no knowledge of how to use it. Until now her magic was erra
tic, dangerous and yet extremely powerful, how would she cope when she had the full force of it flowing through her veins? Could she cope? So much depended on her, so many innocent lives that could be changed by her hands. She could bring peace, and end Aerona’s reign of terror, and that terrified her. Why did it have to be her? Would Arabella not be the perfect person to fulfil the Foreseeing? Already an assassin and clearly strong magically, why waste time on Wynn? Untrained and volatile. It was an odd mix to trust the Nations with. Gulping she settled down to keep watch for a few hours.
The time passed consistently and dully, Wynn expected the Charmer to burst into their room and challenge her, but nothing happened and she almost became complacent. She was glad when three hours had passed and it was time to wake Arabella. She was instantly awake at Wynn’s touch. They looked at each other silently, both mutually agreeing it was time to leave. Arabella instantly began raiding the drawers in the room, taking anything of use she could find. Silently, Wynn stood, her body protesting after such a gruelling journey and such a small amount of rest, she took her leather bag from beside the bed and stuffed it with spare clothes, and their weapons.
Wynn and Arabella tip toed down the stairs and into the kitchen. The inn was completely deserted and in the darkness the pleasant decorations and atmosphere was replaced with a creepy and unpleasant air. Wynn could not help but shudder. In the kitchen they found sweetmeats, dried fruits, fresh baked loaves of bread and hard cheese. Arabella took them all without hesitation, Wynn went to argue but she could see the logic, they needed the food to survive and the Charmer’s trade would not suffer much. After searching the cupboards they found two worn but usable travellers packs, they were satchel like, able to open and close by way of buckles and the straps were thick for comfort.
“This Charmer must travel on once every source of power has been dried up,” Arabella whispered, handing Wynn one. She took all the food they had found, the spare clothes and weapons and took them from the leather back and placed them into the packs. Finally she took the book and rebec with its bow out and stuffed them deep inside. Arabella too filled her bag with the stolen items. They left the leather bag; it had filled its purpose. They filed out of the back door and into the moonlit street their footsteps sounding unnaturally loud in the silent night.
They had not taken more than a few steps out of the door when the owner of the inn appeared before them. His smile was twisted and Wynn now knew if she ever saw a Charmer again she would kill them without mercy. He had stepped from the shadows, light footed and sly and he stood proudly, his hands on his hips, legs parted.
“Where are you going?” He asked, his voice smooth like honey. Wynn could feel her mouth twitch, and had the overwhelming urge to smile, it was like the smog back in Cratewood, choking and lulling. Beside her Arabella pinched her hard on the arm and she blinked in surprise as though waking from a dream. Only a few seconds had passed but she felt as though she had almost drowned, she clenched her mouth tight and the sensation completely disappeared.
“We are leaving,” Arabella said coldly, the moonlight fell down on the road like a waterfall, illuminating the cobbles and the small houses of the townspeople.
“You have something I want,” the man retorted.
“It is not yours to want,” Wynn hissed back, surprised by her anger.
The Charmer took a step forward and Wynn and Arabella raised their hands in warning. The man smiled and opened his arms as though to embrace them, instead a gust of air flew at the girls, blowing them roughly to the ground. Arabella was the first to scrabble to her feet, as the man stopped before them, his figure blocking out the silver light of the moon. She scowled and drew her dagger from her belt and with one smooth movement the blade was pressed dangerously close to the man’s throat.
“Move and I will slit your throat,” Arabella growled. Wynn saw her self control; she wanted nothing more to kill him where he stood, but she knew the implications. If someone walked out on them, threatening an apparently defenceless man, word would spread and Aerona’s spies would soon find their location. The man grabbed Arabella’s hand and forced her to cut him, shallowly, but enough to draw blood. Wynn slowly got to her feet and knew instantly that this man did not fear for his life, either suicidal or amazingly strong, both options were undesirable. Arabella pushed him away then raised her hand, palm facing him, and with no more effort than breathing he collapsed to the floor.
“What did you do?” Wynn asked as she watched Arabella wipe the man’s blood from her knife on his clothes, then sheathe it back on her belt.
“He will not remember who he is, or us, if he is questioned he will not be able to give any straight or coherent answers... at least as long as the magic holds.”
Wynn raised her eyebrows, “Surely they will probe his mind, and find that he has been made to forget?”
“By then we will be far from here,” Arabella said walking away from the unconscious body of the man without glancing back.
***
With the leather packs filled to bursting with the stolen items Wynn and Arabella walked through the dark, sleeping town. They knew not what lay ahead, if this would be the last town they would see for some time, all they knew was they had to get far from here and reach Berhandril alive. The sun had begun its weary awakening, its gentle heat pleasant on their skin. The town was winding, the streets rose coloured from the rising sun. The town was large and it took hours to reach its edge but they eventually reached the vast, thick forest that they had seen on the horizon. It was a sea of green, leaves dancing in the breeze, ivy crawling mercilessly up the weather beaten bark of the trees and thorn bushes threatening to cut them with each step. It reminded Wynn of the forest that surrounded Medea but that forest seemed enchanted and wild; this seemed innocent, just a mass of trees and bracken.
Arabella stormed into the forest, ignoring the scratching thorn bushes and low hanging branches. Wynn followed behind more warily, as she had with the plains between Medea and the town she felt attuned to the land. She could feel energy in the forest, whether it meant harm or not was difficult to say but it was definitely there, a feeling deep in her stomach that refused to leave. She went to question Arabella but her mouth was dry and talking seemed a waste of energy, if Arabella wished to comment she would have done so already using her ability to sense and hear Wynn’s emotions, so Wynn shook her head and kept on walking, leaving the town behind them and walking deeper into unknown. The sound of wild animals calling, and a breeze blustering through the forest surround her.
Walking through the forest was infinitely different than the plains near Woodstone, or the dying plains outside Medea’s forest, it was bustling with so many different lives, those of the plants, the bracken on the ground, or the lichen and ivy crawling up the trunks of the thick oak trees; and of the animals, the squirrels, rabbits, deer, birds and animals Wynn had never encountered before. She followed their lives with interest, allowing herself to fall into the monotony of walking and concentrating wholly on them. At times she stumbled, falling down holes made by rabbits and badgers, tripping over rotten logs and tree stumps, all hidden by the thick foliage, but she kept on regardless. When following the animals too became tedious her mind began to wander and after a few hours of silence between her and Arabella – as silent as Wynn and Arabella ever could be with the constant flux of emotions, urges and thoughts flowing between them – she allowed it to stray. It began with her memories of a warm bed and bath – the very thought made her skin tingle with longing – but drifted very quickly to all those she had cared for.
She willed herself to think less painful things, but her mind disobeyed her and her thoughts crawled towards Rueben and Theodore almost constantly. She could feel her conscious screaming out to be heard. You should not have chosen Rueben to die! You should have cared for Theodore better, you are the Foreseen! It screamed and clawed at her mind until she was sure her brain would bleed. The thoughts were persistent and they had penetrated her mind and soul like ivy,
winding their way through her inescapably, irreversibly.
Then, after she had exhausted and depressed herself thinking of Rueben and Theodore’s demise, Byron’s face appeared in her mind. Her gut twisted with overpowering guilt, Byron was on his way to The Rune, all because of her. If he had not protected her, if he had never met her... It seemed no matter what she did, she hurt those she cared about. Her mother died to protect her, murdered right before her eyes. Byron faced certain death, Theodore and Rueben were gone forever and yet she still lived. Was it fair? Did she not deserve such a fate? But no, she could not die, not yet, not when the Foreseeing rested on her shoulders. Wynn’s thoughts swirled and mixed until everything became a blur of pain. Her thoughts were silent after that.
Arabella did not comment or try to listen to Wynn’s emotions or thoughts. She had already agreed with herself that when it came to Wynn, privacy was the kindest thing she could do for her. The quiet continued.
They reached a small glade after the sun had set once more for night. A whole day since they had been challenged by the Charmer. Wynn had never walked so far and so consistently, her feet were blistered in her new leather boots, her shoulders were tender and raw from the straps of her pack, her head swam from the never ending sea of green. She eyed the glade with longing; it was a rough circle, the grass long and soft, the trees had grown naturally around it, making it seem protected. Small purple flowers dotted around the trunks of the trees and lichen clung to the bark. It was a beautiful place compared to the endless green leaves and brown bark. Arabella stopped before it and waited for Wynn to join her.
“You wish to rest?” Wynn questioned, hoping with every breath she would say yes. Arabella smiled a crooked smile – sensing Wynn’s unspoken exhaustion – and nodded, dropping to the forest floor ungracefully, her pack made a soft thump as it hit the ground. Wynn sighed with relief and too fell onto the softness of the grass. It stroked her face and body and was enough to make her laugh out loud with happiness. Arabella looked at her in confusion but then joined in on the laughter until both could not breathe and their sides split, it was a slightly hysterical sound. The forest seemed louder after they had fallen silent, as though indigent at being forgotten for a short while. Wynn rolled onto her side so she faced Arabella and watched her for a few moments.
Shade of Destiny (The Foreseeing) Page 30