‘Of course I will,’ Natalya assured. ‘You can count on me. Oh, this is going to be fun. I’m so happy for you. Now let me see that ring again.’
‘Jim made it himself,’ Amelie said proudly. ‘It changes to fit me whatever form I’m in,’ she added.
‘Really? That’s truly amazing,’ Natalya responded and glanced over at Jim sitting silently, with Daisy now in his lap, and taking it all in. The man was full of surprises. She wondered how he had figured out what must have been a complex spell. He kept telling everyone he was not fully trained. Clearly the training he had received was of a particularly high standard and he must have been a very good student. She already knew he had a keen mind and excellent memory. She had found him in the library poring over books more than once and suspected he had been quietly adding to his education that way. Was there a spell book somewhere with instructions on how to do this? Somehow she doubted it. Why would a wizard consider creating a spell designed specifically with animus abilities in mind? This spoke of Jim’s odd ingenuity and strength. Placing triggers on an inanimate object like a gold ring were easy enough, but making a solid object change shape and into multiple configurations, was another thing altogether.
She reached for Freddie’s hand and he silently moved up behind her to take it. Freddie might be feeling a little insignificant and in awe of Jim all over again, but she was relieved he was not a wizard. She leaned in to Freddie’s body, appreciating his strength and silent support. Jim simply unnerved her at times. She supposed that if she could share his mind like she did Freddie, she would understand him better and be less confused by his contradictions. As it was, she was glad Amelie was happy with him, it reassured her about Jim’s underlying nature, as nothing else could.
24. An Important Meeting
‘Tobias, it’s Jim. How are you?’
‘Jim? This is a surprise. I’m fine, thank you for asking.’
‘Are you currently at Cedar Castle?’
‘Yes.’
‘Excellent,’ Jim said not mentioning the fact he could feel Tobias’s nervousness bleeding through his shield simply to be speaking with him. He thought they’d parted last on good terms. He supposed he’d done the odd thing that might make the Guild anxious since then. He now wondered what rumours were circulating.
‘What can I do for you?’
‘I would like to arrange a meeting with Lord Aubrey. Could you ask him when would be convenient?’ He sensed Tobias was a little flustered, nervous and definitely curious about the subject of the meeting.
‘Ah, I’ll just go and see if he’s free at the moment to ask,’ Tobias said as he walked. ‘I assume you mean to come here?’
‘Yes. I’ll probably bring Wizard Derek with me,’ Jim threw in.
‘Wizard Derek? I thought he was dead!’ Tobias exclaimed and then he received a view through Jim’s eyes of the very man sitting opposite and looking back with some amusement.
‘As you can see, despite rumours to the contrary, he’s alive and well. We thought you might not know and that his subsequent arrival on your doorstep might be a shock.’
‘Yes indeed. Thank you for the consideration. Clearly, I have not been kept updated,’ Tobias murmured in dismay, wondering which of the other stories currently circulating was equally false. ‘I have arrived,’ and he allowed Jim to see his view of Lord Aubrey currently sitting at the head of an empty table, eating. He was alone but for a guard by each of the two doors.
‘You’re hovering Tobias,’ Lord Aubrey said, without noticeably looking up.
‘Sorry to disturb you sir. I have wizard novice Jim with me,’ he said tapping his head and Lord Aubrey’s gaze sharpened alertly and he gestured for him to approach. ‘He wishes to meet with you whenever would be convenient.’
‘Ah,’ Lord Aubrey said straightening in his chair.
‘He suggested that Wizard Derek might accompany him,’ Tobias added meaningfully.
‘To prove he’s not dead as we’ve been told? Or for another purpose?’
‘I’m not about to waste my time, or his, when you have seen and can verify that truth,’ Jim said to Tobias. ‘No, I have some questions for him that would be best discussed in person.’ Jim watched as Tobias repeated that and he noticed Lord Aubrey nod.
‘I can free up some time tomorrow afternoon,’ Aubrey suggested amiably.
‘Thank you, My Lord. We’ll see you tomorrow afternoon then,’ Jim confirmed and disengaged from Tobias.
‘All set then?’ Derek asked, noticing the hum of energy branching off Jim, signalling a spell, abruptly cease and his eyes return to the present.
‘Yes. They’re expecting us tomorrow afternoon. Are you going to be OK riding that far?’ He could suggest they take a wagon, but after his most recent trips where having to keep to the pace of a slow wagon had made them a target, he wasn’t keen on the idea.
‘Your healers are accomplished,’ Derek responded. ‘As long as I’m not putting excess stress on my bones by running or carrying heavy stuff I’m sure all that was broken will remain mended. If your stables can provide me with a well-mannered horse, then I’ll be fine. Besides, if something did happen I’m certain you could put it right. I’ve heard you’ve done a fair amount of healing yourself.’
‘True, but I’m no expert.’ He eyed Derek’s arms and legs from where he sat and was relieved to note Derek seemed correct in his prognosis. ‘Tobias thought you were dead too. Someone’s been busy spreading that rumour.’
‘I thought as much,’ Derek responded with a shrug. ‘Politically speaking, news of my team’s defeat might well work in our favour just at the moment.’
‘And if it isn’t I’m sure we can correct or even create new rumours to better serve our purpose,’ Jim added and Derek grinned. Both then headed off to prepare for a dawn start.
‘Aiming to make an impression?’ Derek asked in approval as he arrived in the courtyard early next morning. Four matched grey horses awaited them and his three companions were attired in very distinguished and complementary outfits in black with silver trim.
‘Of course,’ Jim responded. The sun was just peering over the horizon and bathing everything in a fresh clean light. Dustin and Rupert were accompanying them. After the attack by hundreds of bandits last time they’d travelled to Cedar Castle, precautions were sensible. Whilst he would have preferred to take the same men as last time, Freddie now had Natalya to watch over. The men wore the same smart livery as last time, although their trousers and shirts were also new and matching. As they would be entering a Lord’s castle where they would be judged by the other warriors, Jim felt their appearance was important. They wore sheathed swords and had a crossbow and quiver holstered on their saddles. Their purpose in the party was completely unambiguous.
The cloak Mrs White had presented him with was also black but didn’t have the large silver threaded school emblem across the back. His cloak was refreshingly plain, weather-proof whilst richly made. The silver chain fastening was the only ornate touch and fashioned after the school’s unicorn emblem. He had followed the wolves’ lead in choosing practical clothing that one could actually ride comfortably in for long hours. His long black leather boots were smartly polished but his clothing was fairly unremarkable otherwise. He’d merely ensured what he wore to be seen by Lord Aubrey was clean and new. It wouldn’t do to arrive in threadbare or mended clothes. Derek in contrast wore a white shirt with a frivolous frill at throat and cuffs, which was visible under the dark purple cloak. In addition to the rich purple, black brocade embellished his cloak. Derek’s boots were decorated too. He didn’t visibly carry any conventional weapons; his attire told everyone he was a wizard. Most observers would initially assume he was the leader of their party. Jim had no problem with that. With rumours doubtless abounding of a rogue wizard, he was content to travel incognito and let Derek occupy other travellers’ interest.
Near midday, they finally saw Cedar Castle in the hills above them. They had made good time and hadn’t seen any sign
s of bandits. Jim wondered if Lord Aubrey had managed to clear his land of them or if they naturally dispersed in the spring when there was plenty of paying work to be had on the land.
Dustin abruptly stopped and they halted behind him warily. Moments later a squad of uniformed guardsmen rode out of the trees towards them. It soon became clear they had been awaiting their arrival and the squad fell in to escort them up to the castle.
‘Your reputation must precede you,’ Derek remarked quietly as he rode beside Jim.
‘Are they a guard for us, or against us, though?’
‘Ah, hadn’t thought of it like that. Expecting trouble?’ Derek murmured quietly as their escort clattered over the drawbridge. ‘What is it?’ he added noticing Jim suddenly frowning as they passed through the solidly constructed gateway.
‘More than one wizard is already inside,’ Jim told him and glanced at Dustin and Rupert to be sure they had heard the warning too. ‘We should stay together.’
‘Tobias must have reported to the Guild that you were visiting here today,’ Derek said and noted Jim’s lips thin but he said nothing. They trotted up the winding streets of the lower ward, passed through a second gateway guarding the upper castle and shortly arrived at the road’s destination in a large open courtyard.
Grooms were already waiting and Jim quickly dismounted. He nodded to Dustin who moved forward to aid Derek’s dismount, avoiding too much of a jar to his legs. As soon as all were afoot, Jim strode up the long flight of steps from the courtyard towards the main residence, where he’d been before. He gestured their escort ahead and his pace made all his companions move smartly to keep up. He warily scanned around them, aware of being in the open with wizard presences nearby and who might prove to be unfriendly.
‘Welcome to Cedar Castle. If you’d like to come this way, sirs,’ Lord Aubrey’s steward said, awaiting them at the door to the residence.
‘Avoiding the other party of wizards are we?’ Jim asked him, as the man gestured for them to take an alternate route through the formal gardens to the back of the main residence.
‘It seemed prudent. Lord Aubrey will be with you shortly,’ he added and left them in a small informal reception room that was furnished with comfortable seating.
‘Thank you,’ Jim said simply and the steward withdrew. The guard escort remained outside, leaving the four of them to relax. Jim absently eyed the tranquil gardens visible through the glass double doors and suspected this chamber was not usually used for visitors.
‘I’m surprised the guild members haven’t barged in already. They must have sensed you. Although, thinking about it, I can barely feel you at the moment. You’re shielding your power signature somehow?’
‘It seemed sensible. I’d rather our meeting took place undisturbed.’
The door opened and Lord Aubrey entered with Tobias. Dustin and Rupert hastily left their seats and took up positions by the door.
‘Good afternoon My Lord,’ Jim said and sketched a quick but respectful bow as did Derek. ‘I hope we are not inconveniencing you?’
‘What’s life without a little drama to add some spice?’ Lord Aubrey remarked. ‘You at least did make an appointment. So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?’ he said crossing the room and sitting down opposite Jim, gesturing for them to be seated.
‘Thank you for seeing us on such short notice. I hope you will forgive my getting straight to the point, but I imagine the wizards down the hall will intrude at some point soon.’ Aubrey nodded. ‘I would like your permission to formally separate White Haven from the Guild’s influence and become an independent academy.’
‘Why do you need my permission for that? You will simply be formalising the current state of affairs.’
‘I prefer to have your approval. I also thought it would be sensible to seek your sponsorship.’
‘Ah. Financial sponsorship?’
‘No, we are supporting ourselves,’ Jim clarified quickly. ‘I’m thinking in terms of having a respected voice in our corner. This decision isn’t likely to be popular with the Guilds.’
‘Or the other lords,’ Aubrey added. ‘Yes, it will cause a stir, but I happen to think they only have themselves to blame. So, what type of independent academy are you proposing? I hear you are being inundated with students wishing to enrol.’
‘We are, and primarily for warrior training,’ Jim acknowledged not surprised he had been keeping tabs on them. ‘Wizard Derek believes we are already regarded as leaning in that direction,’ Jim added. ‘He has agreed to join our staff and will upgrade our ability to teach the warrior art skills.’
‘Ah. A specialist warrior academy. Yes, I’m certain you can promote yourselves as such successfully. Rumours already abound of your personal exploits,’ Aubrey added and watched Jim shift uncomfortably. ‘I must admit I’d like to hear about your latest battle. The fact Wizard Derek is not only alive, but is joining forces with you, rather negates the credibility of the story as it had been reported to me.’ He eyed the reluctance on both Jim’s and Derek’s faces and knew something momentous had happened that they were trying to keep under wraps. ‘Were there many witnesses?’
‘Most of the school turned out I think,’ Jim said and glanced at Dustin for confirmation.
Lord Aubrey followed his gaze. ‘You witnessed the whole event?’ The tall animus man nodded. ‘What’s your name?’
‘Dustin, my lord.’
‘Jim, if it’s easier, show me his memory of it. I do need to know what really happened.’
Jim raised a brow at Dustin who mutely nodded permission and came closer.
‘May I watch too?’ Tobias asked as they were about to begin. Jim nodded slightly reluctantly but allowed a hand to be placed on his shoulder. Tobias sucked in his breath sensing the power coiled in this one wizard. A huge feline roar mentally jolted them into the start of the memory. Dustin had heard the roar from a distance but had only just managed to run to the village entrance in time to see a lion galloping past at a blurring pace. The lion had leapt the perimeter wall and disappeared. Dustin had run fast into one of the gate towers and stared out the window at the scene below and close by. Tobias recognised the team of wizards in the scene but hadn’t met their prisoners. As the scene unfolded he heard with shock that the woman and baby were Jim’s lady and child and that this had been an attempted kidnap. Well that certainly wasn’t part of the official story! He’d not been aware Jim could change form either, but he demonstrated it amply when trying to negotiate with Jared. Tobias watched the whole scene unfold in utter awe and shock as Jim felled twenty wizards alone. He continued watching as the towering lion Jim had become returned to the school with his family. Jared had been left defeated but standing. He’d looked around at his fallen team and walked away, leaving them there! The memory continued and it was clear Dustin had remained on watch until the team awoke sometime after dawn. He’d seen them perform a cursory search for something and then stagger off.
‘Well, that was most enlightening,’ Lord Aubrey admitted, once the vivid and mind boggling display of magic had ceased. ‘The official version has left out quite a number of pertinent details,’ he said to Tobias, who nodded unhappily. ‘The last bit before they left next morning, were they looking for something?’
‘Yes. Me,’ Derek said. ‘I somehow landed in the trees beyond the river, unconscious and injured. If Jared had stuck around to defend his team when they were unconscious, drained of their magic, and completely vulnerably, he’d have been able to sense me. Jim certainly left him sufficient magic.’
‘Knowing they were missing someone they could have used their eyes to search properly,’ Dustin interjected quietly, his disgust plain. ‘We found you just in the tree line, not deep in the forest. You had been there for hours in considerable pain.’
‘Their loss is our gain,’ Jim said quietly and Dustin nodded and returned to his post at the door. ‘Ah, I think the guild members have finally sensed our presence. Considering they were expecting us, you�
��d have thought they’d have been listening out for us. Their senses must be poor,’ Jim added.
‘You’re shielding,’ Derek reminded.
‘I can only reduce my signature, not mask it entirely and you haven’t been shielding at all.’
‘You wish to see them or go out the back?’ Lord Aubrey asked.
‘Should I be hiding?’ Jim asked.
‘I thought from what you’ve just said about shielding that that’s exactly what you were doing.’
‘No. I merely delayed the inevitable to give us time to talk undisturbed,’ Jim said with a shrug.
‘Ah. Then by all means open the door Dustin,’ Lord Aubrey said and settled back into his chair with the air of someone looking forward to entertainment. He did however pivot his chair so he could see the door more easily.
Dustin prudently waited until he heard a knock at the door before opening it. The idea of flinging it wide and startling already nervous and defensive wizards into doing something rash was not something he wished to risk.
‘Can I help you?’ Dustin asked politely. He noticed the leader of the small group was eyeing him warily.
‘What the hell is an animus doing here?’ one of the other wizards asked, but since the rude question hadn’t been aimed at Dustin directly he felt no obligation to answer. ‘His mind’s shielded too. What the hell?’
Dustin opened the door wide and stepped aside. If these men wished to be discourteous he would let them see that Lord Aubrey was present and listening. Five wizards entered the room, ignoring Dustin entirely to stare at the other occupants.
‘So it’s true,’ one of the wizards exclaimed, his gaze fixed on Derek. ‘You are alive.’
‘Obviously,’ Derek remarked coolly. He had never liked wizard Kyle. The young man was selfish, obnoxiously elitist and a social climber who didn’t care who he stepped on. If he had any redeeming features Derek didn’t know of them.
‘Why didn’t you return?’
Natalya: Wizards of White Haven Page 26