He looked down at his paw and saw to his relief that he was back to his usual size. He no longer emitted sparks of excess energy either. He felt tired which probably meant he had successfully offloaded the majority of the surplus power. As he returned to the house he realised the rebuilding and then anchoring spells had used up the magic of twenty strong wizards. Perhaps that extraordinary strength requirement was why it had not been repaired before now. It suddenly occurred to him that in these troubled times, it might have been left unrepaired to stop intruders from popping in to the grounds unannounced to cause havoc. Mm, he was going to have to secure it. The last thing anyone needed was for students to come across it, successfully activate it and get themselves into trouble, either.
He returned to the portal and built a be-spelled fence around the archway, preventing access to it from either direction, without his knowledge. The hidden and relatively inaccessible location meant no-one was likely to stumble across it accidentally either. He decided he would keep this discovery to himself until he was ready to handle the inevitable demands for exploration and investigation that would ensue.
Satisfied he’d made it as safe as possible, he returned to the house and his bed knowing he now at last would be able to sleep.
2. Lost and Found
‘Sir, we have found someone in the woods. He’s badly injured.’ Freddie eyed Jim warily. ‘Could he be one of the wizards you fought last night?’
‘It must be Derek, Jared’s second in command,’ Jim mused recalling the events of last night. He remembered tossing Derek, the leader of the meld team, aside into the trees. ‘I didn’t mean to injure him but it’s certainly possible,’ Jim responded thoughtfully. ‘I left Jared beaten but standing at the end of the battle. I assumed he would have searched out all his men and taken them home with him. Anyway, I’d better come and find out,’ he added.
‘We watched the leader run as soon as you came inside and his legs would hold! You’re saying you purposely left another out there? Why?’ Freddie asked as they walked together down the drive. He hadn’t thought the enormous lion looked remotely in control of his actions, but was fighting on instinct alone. Instinct would normally ensure any threats to his family were eliminated. He’d been surprised there hadn’t been a blood-bath. Perhaps rendering the wizards unconscious had been sufficient to pacify Jim’s beast.
‘Derek showed remorse and was trying to be fair. He did lower the walls of Amelie’s trap sufficiently for me to give her clothes and then allowed us to speak.’
‘And your lion remembered that, even in the heat of battle?’
‘I confess the battle was mostly a blur. I can’t entirely recall what happened,’ Jim admitted. ‘Is that usual?’
‘Yes. Once you’re in the thick of hard fighting, instinct and training takes over, and that certainly looked to be what happened to your lion. Now I think about it, I do recall you flicking someone aside with a paw. He flew through the air and landed in the forest like a thrown stick.’ Freddie eyed Jim for a few minutes as they walked.
‘What are you thinking?’ Jim asked, aware of his regard but politely not spying on Freddie’s mind.
‘Well, your lion form altered and you stayed that way even after the battle. Is that a permanent change?’
‘No. I’d grown a bit, hadn’t I,’ he said with a grin and noticed even the usually imperturbable wolf seemed apprehensive. ‘I drained off the excess power and returned to my normal size a bit later. Was I scary?’
‘Yes,’ Freddie admitted.
‘Good. Maybe I won’t have to do it again.’
‘There is that,’ Freddie conceded with the ghost of a smile.
‘Ah, while I think about it, I’ve to meet with some of the school’s suppliers in Briarton tomorrow morning. Want to come?’
‘You’d planned on travelling alone?’ Freddie asked in concern.
‘Well, for some reason volunteers seem few on the ground this time. I keep telling people I’m still me and that I’m back to normal.’ Unexpectedly Freddie snorted at that. ‘What?’
‘Jim, you don’t feel the same, even to me and I’m not a wizard. We all watched you beat twenty battle prepared wizards on your own. You can’t blame people for being nervous of such strength.’
‘Ok, I can understand that, but I haven’t done anything unusual since.’ He faltered as Freddie halted and turned to eye him.
‘You’re lying,’ Freddie observed. ‘Do I need to know what you actually did to drain off that power?’
‘I can never put much past you, can I?’ Jim responded with a faint grin, but he respected the wolf man’s courage and directness. ‘I rebuilt some ruins I found on the grounds. They’re deep in the forest between school and training ground. I’d appreciate it if you’d keep this to yourself though and deter your people from approaching the area for the time being.’
‘It poses some hazard? What did you do?’ Freddie asked quickly and anxiously.
‘I found something really exciting. But until I’ve done some investigation, and checked into its safety, I’d rather keep its existence quiet. I’ve put a fence around it to stop anyone accidentally getting close enough to get into trouble.’
‘That’s most reassuring,’ Freddie remarked drily. ‘Have you told Drako?’
‘Not yet. He will want to explore as soon as he knows about it and that could be dangerous. You are the Clan’s head of security. It was appropriate to make you aware there was something there.’
‘Thank you for that consideration, but you do realise you’re making me anxious.’
‘Yes, and you’ll go and look,’ Jim acknowledged. ‘Once you do you’ll understand the need for secrecy, my caution and why I’ve placed a barrier around it.’
‘Ok,’ Freddie responded. Jim was correct that he’d be up there checking it out the moment he was free. His curiosity was alive with questions he knew Jim didn’t yet want to answer.
‘So, where’s he been put?’ Jim asked as they turned into the village. He was aware of being stared at; Freddie’s nervousness in his presence was clearly not an isolated reaction.
‘I stashed him at Dustin’s place.’
Jim nodded; it was unwise for Drako to be seen by strangers. Dustin was a very capable wolf, although he too was eyeing Jim a little nervously as they walked up the lane to his cottage. Dustin invited them in to the house and gestured to the corner of his living room where one of the ubiquitous school beds had been put to use. Jim eyed the sleeping man lying there. Splints on both legs gave mute evidence of injuries that the wolves had treated.
‘Wizard Derek,’ Jim said quietly aware the man had woken at their entry and was now feigning sleep. He also sensed Derek’s pain washing over him.
Derek’s eyes opened and he nervously turned his head. ‘Wizard Jim. I was wondering where I’d been taken,’ he added glancing at the two other men present; quickly ascertaining they were animus before returning his full attention to the formidable wizard before him. It was almost a shock to see how young he was to already have such a powerful presence.
‘The men found you whilst out hunting I believe,’ Jim said approaching closer and reaching out a hand.
‘What are you going to do?’ Derek quavered, recoiling from the hand. ‘Are you going to kill me, like the others?’
‘Kill you? No. I didn’t kill any of your merge team either. I left them drained but otherwise unharmed. I believe they got up and left the following morning,’ he remarked, glancing at Freddie who nodded confirmation. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t realise they hadn’t taken you with them. I knew you’d become separated but assumed your team would look for you before leaving.’
‘They’re alive?’ Derek asked, relief flooding him. ‘What about Jared?’ he dared ask. Since Jared had been the primary instigator behind the plot to kidnap Jim’s family, if anyone should have borne the brunt of Jim’s defensive fury, it was him.
‘He too lives. He has Amelie’s timely intervention to thank for that,’ Jim said tonel
essly. ‘Do you wish me to relieve your pain?’
‘You would do that? For me?’ Jim just looked at him, waiting, so Derek simply nodded. Jim grasped both of Derek’s ankles and he gulped in relief as the pain blocking spell took effect. Jim removed his hands immediately making Derek aware that he had no intention of invading his mind just now, when he was too weak to have any defences. ‘Thank you,’ Derek managed in appreciation.
‘Right, let’s get you to sickbay,’ Jim said briskly. ‘Thank you Dustin, Freddie,’ he added, glancing at the wolf-men with a sincere nod. He then levitated Derek, ensuring he remained perfectly horizontal and his broken legs were supported for the trip up to the school where the trained healers could care for him.
‘We have much to talk about,’ Jim remarked as he walked along with Derek floating beside him. The villagers were wide-eyed as they watched them pass and equally, Derek was observing the village with great curiosity, or as well as he could from his awkward position. Those intelligent eyes returned to him at that. ‘Don’t worry; it’ll wait until you’re fixed-up.’
‘Yes, there is much to discuss,’ Derek agreed. He and the Guild in general knew very little about this man. Wizard Tobias had reported that Jim was normally a calm and generous character, but that he was very defensive of those under his protection. Any man would be understandably furious with his family under attack. Threatening a wizard, who was known to be a leach with unknown capabilities, was foolhardy in the extreme. Derek had not agreed with Jared’s plan, but had been unable to persuade his superior of its obvious flaws. Derek knew that he was completely vulnerable now and at this wizard’s mercy. He was grateful that Jim was being so forgiving and reasonable, when he did not have to be. This was someone he wanted to get to know better and quickly. He hoped he’d be allowed to talk to the staff and other residents at the school while he recuperated, to gather a fuller picture. What plans did Jim have now though? Jim had categorically beaten Jared and a battle trained squad of twenty. What else was he capable of? Where did the guild now stand when Jim had categorically proven he didn’t need to bow before their authority?
3. Rescue
Natalya anxiously peered around the corner to check the busy street. She cursed under her breath as a pair of uniformed hunters appeared out of a side street ahead of her. A richly dressed man joined them to confer. She noticed his head turning, constantly scanning the crowds; searching. A wizard was with them to hunt her! Grr! His gaze hadn’t settled yet; he hadn’t pinpointed her location. It was market day and the streets were thronging with people. The crowds had provided good cover to move amongst unnoticed. She ducked behind a crowd of men going in a different direction and silently cursed when they glanced at her speculatively. She was easily as tall as most men and wisps of her long white blond hair escaped her hood and shone in the early morning sun. She naturally stood out from the crowd which wasn’t remotely useful when she was being hunted. She’d had to detour so many times to avoid the two teams of hunters she was beginning to panic. She’d been working her way across the small but congested town to a different gate having found the first one too well-guarded and could now see the town walls, but yet again she’d been headed off.
She’d originally planned to cross the wall under cover of darkness the previous night, but security had been unexpectedly tight. She’d been forced to hide in the middle of town instead and wait for morning in the hope she could slip out amongst the crowds. She’d gone to each exit from the town and discovered wizards keeping watch at the two busy main gates. Every gate was guarded by soldiers, but the two wizards kept moving between them. She knew very well that a wizard would easily be able to feel her magic and know she was animus once they got close enough.
Trapped inside the town’s walls it was only a matter of time before she was cornered; time for a new strategy. Down a narrow backstreet, she spotted a dark alleyway filled with stinking rubbish and ducked into it. She crouched down behind a pile of broken crates, out of sight of anyone passing. She quickly removed her clothes, stuffing them into her bag. She closed her eyes concentrating and transformed into a domestic tabby cat. She glanced regretfully at her bag with her few meagre possessions and nudged it out of direct sight. She had no option but to leave her things behind. In cat form, she could not possibly carry a bag as big as she was; everyone would know she was not a true cat. She walked out of the alley and immediately noticed a tall young man looking directly and intently at her. He didn’t look like a catcher nor was he either of the pesky wizards she’d seen too much of over the last few hours. Whatever he was he exuded a tangible aura of power that was rather mixed in character but unnervingly powerful. He most definitely put the two wizards on her tail in the shade!
‘I’m Jim. Don’t run little one. We can help you get out of here,’ Jim told her quietly, then glanced up the street at a second man. ‘Freddie, how’s it looking?’ he called softly.
The man so addressed jogged over to them quickly. He too was tall but with dark reddish brown hair and warm green eyes. She could immediately tell he was animus and something about him calmed her frayed nerves and allowed her to catch her breath.
‘There are two hunters and someone with them that looks like a wizard to me,’ he said quickly but his eyes hadn’t left the small blue eyed cat watching them both warily. He was surprised she hadn’t bolted at Jim’s approach. Even he could sense the aura of Jim’s powerful magic and to someone running from wizards, he expected her immediate distrust.
‘You reassure her,’ Jim told him. ‘I’d better divert that wizard.’
Natalya blinked, shocked by the calmly delivered statement. The blond man almost seemed to glide away, authority and assurance in his movements.
‘He can be a bit overpowering,’ Freddie confided cheerfully and the cat’s head tilted. ‘Jim’s a lion,’ he added, suspecting little further explanation was necessary and hoping that would help. ‘Have you got clothes somewhere? We shouldn’t leave anything behind with your scent on; they might be able to use it to track you.’
Natalya glanced again at the blond man keeping watch at the head of the narrow street. Should she trust them? If Freddie had been alone she wouldn’t have hesitated, but Jim was distinctly unnerving. Freddie still waited for her decision so she quickly gestured behind her at the alley. He went in and unerringly homed in on her backpack despite the appalling stench of rotting rubbish. If he could find it so easily, then he was right, her pursuers might have been able to as well.
Once clear of the stinking alley Freddie put his nose to the canvas bag to properly take her scent. He heard a growl; she was watching him. She would know he could track her now he was learning her scent. ‘Sorry, but this smells so much better than everything else,’ he whispered glancing around them at the foul place. He quickly put his arms through the backpack’s two straps so his hands were free again.
‘Looks like our route’s clear. Come on,’ Freddie said to her noticing Jim gesture and the tabby came to his side, peered round the corner and trotted beside him across the intersection. He resisted the urge to scoop the cat up into his arms. She didn’t trust them yet and her current form, whilst small, was fully equipped to do him serious damage if provoked. They joined Jim and cautiously looked around.
Jim walked casually but briskly into the open and crossed another street. He checked the new lane was safe before nodding to Freddie to follow.
Natalya stayed at Freddie’s side, very relieved she was not alone. In cat form she could hide easily and climb well but she also couldn’t see over the various obstructions as the men could. They walked swiftly down yet another lane then headed for a storehouse wall where there was a stack of crates. To her surprise Jim suddenly vanished.
‘He loves his theatrics,’ Freddie told her.
Natalya noticed his amusement and decided he respected, but wasn’t daunted by, the lion man. Behind the crates was a metal grille propped open against the wall. Then she noticed the black hole in the street. She could scent that
the lion had gone down into this smelly black hole but she was nervous.
‘After you,’ Freddie said with a rather courtly gesture. ‘Don’t worry; it’s mostly dry and not too much of a drop. Or would you rather I carried you?’
Natalya was surprised by the offer; he seemed genuine. She heard voices approaching and knew he heard them too. She jumped into the black hole, and as he’d promised, didn’t fall into foul water. The storm drain tunnel was largely dry and she immediately moved away so Freddie wouldn’t land on her.
Freddie followed quickly but used the ancient ladder of metal rungs hammered into the wall so he could grab the conspicuously open heavy grille and close it after him. Stepping into the tunnel he realised that whilst Jim had already gone on ahead, the cat had not and was waiting for him. Her large pale blue eyes glinted in the gloom. He jogged where the tunnel was clear enough, aware the cat ran by his side rather than following him. Despite her small frame she bounded over obstacles easily and kept pace with him.
Natalya: Wizards of White Haven Page 2